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For many female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural woman leader is powerful and influential.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” a 21-year-old states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a rather simplistic view.”

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would allow married couples to have different last names, blocking many females from keeping their birth surnames.

She's also opposed to women being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her statements during her campaign – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

Yet she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional position for females in the community and in the home.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar record on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among 148 countries, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. Specifically, women make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how women view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, even as biased expectations and expectations still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to get to that office.

“She's also not truly going against the grain. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

“It is essential to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We must be able to criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

Political Background and Influences

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

It's also apparent by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the conservative wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this idea that we must be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

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

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not go against the ideals that they hold, and it could render our role harder.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.