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For many female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural female leader is impactful and influential.

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

However, although the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to observe how people outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

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

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to attract the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also opposed to females being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she moderated some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she supports giving tax incentives to companies that provide childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of potential deductions for households spending on childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the idea of a more traditional role for women in society and in the home.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are among the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

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

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how females perceive their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to reach that position.

“She's also not truly going against the norm. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be able to evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Influences

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

It's also apparent by who her champions within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her achievement because it promotes this notion that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

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

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.