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For many young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever woman leader is impactful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

But while the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to see how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old states.

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

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many females from keeping their maiden names.

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

However, she moderated certain her statements during her election bid – saying she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible tax breaks for households investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional position for women in the community and in the family.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar performance on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are among the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle 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 among 148 countries, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

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

The globally fourth biggest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

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

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how females perceive their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became 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 females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to get to that position.

“She's also not really going against the grain. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a female.

“We need to make sure we're discussing her policies. We need to be capable of evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context 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 evident by who her champions inside the party have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to somewhat relate to her success because it furthers this notion that we must be compliant with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

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

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it could render our job harder.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.