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

It means a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a female.

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

It was rather fascinating to see how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” 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 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 perpetuates 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.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many females from keeping their birth surnames.

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

However, she moderated certain her messaging during her election bid – stating she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

But she has over the years backed the notion of a conventional role for women in society and in the family.

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

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to increase the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how women view their prospects.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that position.

“She's also not truly going against the norm. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

The young woman further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her policies. We must be capable of criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a defender of the male-dominated system.

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

She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most powerful right-wing factions.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the party's right wing in her favor.

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

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “the public are going to expect the identical from women as well”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.