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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever female prime minister is powerful and influential.

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to see how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that provide daycare services to their staff and spoke of possible tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

But she has historically supported the idea of a more traditional position for females in the community and in the home.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive record on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 countries, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how women view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who became the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the grain. She's saying the identical views as the men.”

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a female.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be capable of evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Political Background and Associations

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a defender of the patriarchy.

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the late ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the conservative wing behind her.

“I believe that it is difficult for women to somewhat identify with her success because it furthers this notion that we must be compliant with the existing system,” young adult a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from women as too”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.