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

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 rather fascinating to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” 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 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 represents,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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

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

Analysts note 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 parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would allow spouses to have different last names, blocking many females from retaining their birth surnames.

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

However, she did soften certain her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

But she has historically supported the idea of a more traditional 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 record on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 countries, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. In detail, women make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how women view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and society, even as biased expectations and norms still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“She's also not truly challenging the norm. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a female.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her policies. We need to be able to criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Associations

It is not only what Takaichi has stated which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

Additionally, it is evident by who her champions inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the conservative wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to sort of relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we must be obedient with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

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

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our role harder.”

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the trust of a discontented and irate voting public, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her agenda.