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For many female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural woman prime minister is powerful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

But while the appearances suggest a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to observe how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old says.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a rather simplistic view.”

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired 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 Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many females from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is opposed to women being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that offer daycare services to their staff and mentioned possible deductions for families investing in child-rearing.

But she has over the years backed the idea of a conventional position for females in the community and in the family.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's subpar performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how females perceive their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and the community, despite biased expectations and norms still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the norm. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

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

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be capable of evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Associations

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the patriarchy.

Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her supporters inside the party have been.

She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to somewhat identify with her success because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “people are going to expect the same from us as too”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to hosting president Trump within days of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.