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To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural female prime minister is impactful and influential.

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

But while the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to observe how individuals outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

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

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow married couples to have different last names, preventing many females from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her messaging during her election bid – stating she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that provide daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential tax breaks for households spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years supported the notion of a conventional role for females in society and in the family.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar record on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. In detail, females make up 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: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how females perceive their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and society, even as biased expectations and norms still remain.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it required her over three decades to reach that office.

“She's also not truly challenging the norm. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a female.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her policies. We must be able to evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Influences

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

It's also evident by who her champions inside the party have been.

She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of identify with her achievement because it promotes this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “people are going to expect the identical from women as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, 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 in addition to hosting president Trump within days of taking power.

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