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

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

But while the appearances suggest a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive interpretation.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

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

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have different last names, blocking many females from keeping their maiden names.

Additionally, she is against women being in line for succession in the imperial family.

However, she moderated certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for households spending on child-rearing.

But she has historically backed the idea of a conventional role for females in the community and in the home.

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

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women 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 traditional roles.

According to the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, females make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

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

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how females view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who became the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed 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 acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and the community, despite biased expectations and norms still persist.

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

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the grain. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

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

“We need to ensure we're discussing her policies. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Associations

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a defender of the patriarchy.

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her champions within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government'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 females to sort of relate to her success because it promotes this notion that we have to be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from women as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not go against the ideals that they hold, and it might make our job harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.