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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural woman prime minister is impactful and formative.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a female.

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to see how people outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

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

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to appeal to the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many females from keeping their maiden names.

Additionally, she is against women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her statements during her election bid – stating she favours giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned possible tax breaks for families investing in child-rearing.

But she has historically backed the idea of a more traditional position for women in the community and in the home.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's subpar record on equality concerns.

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

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

The globally fourth biggest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. Specifically, females constitute about less than 16% 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 announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how females view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is normal to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to reach that position.

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

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

“It is essential to make sure we're talking about her policies. We must be able to criticise 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 supporter of the male-dominated system.

Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her supporters inside the party have been.

She was mentored of the deceased former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of identify with her achievement because it furthers this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “people are likely to anticipate the same from us as too”.

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

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the trust of a frustrated and irate voting public, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

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