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For many female youth in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever woman leader is impactful and influential.

This signifies 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, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

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

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

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

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

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

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

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many females from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also against women being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she moderated certain her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to companies that provide childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for families investing in child-rearing.

But she has over the years supported the idea of a more traditional role for females in the community and in the home.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive record on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to boost the number of female lawmakers 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 females in its national parliament. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how females view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, even as biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that office.

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her policies. We need to be able to criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Influences

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

It's also evident by which individuals her champions inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for females to somewhat relate to her success because it furthers this idea that we must be compliant with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

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

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

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, as well as welcoming president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.