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For many female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural woman prime minister is impactful and formative.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

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

In my opinion that's a very naive view.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

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

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to attract the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit spouses to have different last names, blocking many females from keeping their birth surnames.

She's also against females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for households spending on childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the idea of a conventional position for females in society and in the home.

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

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to increase the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. Specifically, women make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could alter how women view their prospects.

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

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to reach that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the grain. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a female.

“We need to ensure we're talking about her policies. We must be capable of criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

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.

It's also evident by who her supporters within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the party's right wing behind her.

“I believe that it is challenging for females to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this notion that we must be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from us as too”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not go against the ideals that they have, and it could render our role harder.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within days of taking power.

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