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For many female youth in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural woman prime minister is impactful and formative.

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although 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 people outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

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

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

Instead, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would permit married couples to have different last names, blocking many women from keeping their maiden names.

She's also opposed to females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

However, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for families spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has historically supported the notion of a conventional position for women in society and in the home.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive record on equality concerns.

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are some of the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. In detail, women make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how females view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

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

“She's also not truly challenging the norm. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her policies. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

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

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for females to sort of relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we must be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from us as well”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our job harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least addressing a slow growth and inflation and regaining the confidence of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

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