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

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

However, although the optics speak of a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman 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 very naive interpretation.”

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

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

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have different last names, blocking many females from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is against females being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their staff and mentioned potential deductions for households investing in childcare.

But she has historically supported the notion of a conventional position for females in society and in the family.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar performance on gender issues.

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 nations, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

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

The world's fourth largest economy ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. Specifically, women constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how women perceive their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who became the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and the community, even as biased expectations and norms still remain.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it took her over three decades to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the grain. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she shouldn't be put on a platform just due to the fact she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're talking about her policies. We need to be capable of criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Associations

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

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

She's the protégé of the late ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the party's right wing behind her.

“I believe that it is difficult for women to sort of identify with her achievement because it furthers this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult a citizen remarks.

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

“They will demand women to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our role harder.”

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, 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 high on her priority list.