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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural woman leader is impactful and formative.

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a female.

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

“It was quite fascinating to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted 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 equal rights in Japan’.

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

Conversely, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning 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 allow spouses to have different last names, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also opposed to women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

However, she moderated some of her messaging during her election bid – saying she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for families investing in child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years supported the notion of a conventional position for women in the community and in the home.

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

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. Specifically, women constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Leadership

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

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

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

“She's also not truly going against the norm. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

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

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her policies. We need to be able to criticise her fairly 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 supporter of the patriarchy.

It's also apparent by which individuals her supporters inside the party have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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 relate to her success because it furthers this idea that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

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

“They will demand us to be compliant, not go against the ideals that they have, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within days of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.