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

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

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

People are saying, ‘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 rather simplistic interpretation.”

Instead, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces 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 nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to appeal to the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many females from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against females being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for households spending on childcare.

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

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar performance on equality concerns.

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 expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among 148 countries, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

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 became the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to reach that position.

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

The young woman further states that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a female.

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

Ideological Context and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the male-dominated system.

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

She was mentored of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for females to sort of relate to her success because it promotes this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

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

“They will demand women to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and inflation and winning back the trust of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to hosting president Trump within days of taking power.

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