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To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever female prime minister is impactful and influential.

It means a patriarchal society and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a very naive interpretation.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “political beliefs 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 long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many females from retaining their maiden names.

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

However, 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 spoke of possible deductions for families investing in child-rearing.

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

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

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

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Leadership

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

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued 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 companies and society, despite biased expectations and norms still remain.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember 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 men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

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

Political Background and Associations

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

Additionally, it is apparent by who her champions inside the party have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased 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 leadership of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to somewhat relate to her achievement because it promotes this idea that we must be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen remarks.

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

“They will demand us to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our job harder.”

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as well as hosting president Trump within days of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her agenda.