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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 prime minister is powerful and influential.

It means a patriarchal society and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

However, although the appearances suggest a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to see how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

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

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

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

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

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for families spending on childcare.

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

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how women view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and society, despite biased expectations and norms still persist.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to get to that position.

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a female.

“We need to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We must be able to criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Influences

It is not just 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's the protégé of the late ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to somewhat identify with her success because it furthers this idea that we must be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a symbol for females in government, “people are going to expect the identical from women as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a discontented and irate voting public, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.