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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever woman prime minister is impactful and formative.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to observe how people outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

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

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

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

However, she moderated certain her messaging during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for families investing in childcare.

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

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. In detail, females make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how women view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who became the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out 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 office.

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

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a woman.

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her policies. We need to be able to evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Associations

It is not only what Takaichi has stated which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the patriarchy.

It's also apparent by which individuals her supporters inside the party have been.

She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed 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.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to somewhat identify with her achievement because it furthers this notion that we must be compliant with the existing system,” young adult a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “the public are going to expect the identical from women as too”.

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

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming 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 priority list.