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For many female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural female leader is impactful and formative.

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

But while the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how individuals outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive interpretation.”

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

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

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

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – stating she favours giving tax incentives to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

But she has historically supported the notion of a conventional role for women in the community and in the home.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar record on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

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

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

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to increase the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, women make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how females perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it took her over three decades to get to that position.

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

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

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her policies. We must be able to evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her supporters inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the deceased former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the party's right wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to sort of identify with her achievement because it promotes this notion that we must be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

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

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

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the trust of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.