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For many female youth in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever female prime minister is powerful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led 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 quite interesting to see how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” 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 women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a rather simplistic view.”

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

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would permit married couples to have different last names, preventing many women from keeping their birth surnames.

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

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her statements during her election bid – saying she favours giving financial benefits to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential tax breaks for families spending on childcare.

But she has over the years backed the idea of a more traditional position for females in the community and in the home.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive record on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

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

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. Specifically, females make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power 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 the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as authorities in companies and society, even as biased expectations and norms still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa 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 position.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the norm. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform just due to the fact she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We must be able to evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Political Background and Associations

It is not just what Takaichi has stated 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 was mentored of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to somewhat relate to her achievement because it furthers this notion that we must be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from women as well”.

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

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the trust of a discontented and angry electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within days of taking power.

It's safe to say that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.