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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural female leader is impactful and formative.

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted 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 Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would allow married couples to have different last names, blocking many females from retaining their birth surnames.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for families investing in childcare.

But she has over the years backed the idea of a more traditional position for females in society and in the home.

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the best 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.

According to the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. In detail, women make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how women view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the norm. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”

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

“We need to ensure we're talking about her policies. We must be capable of evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Influences

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

Additionally, it is apparent by who her supporters within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the late ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the conservative wing behind her.

“I believe that it is challenging for women to sort of relate to her achievement because it furthers this notion that we must be compliant with the existing system,” young adult a citizen remarks.

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

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it could render our role harder.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the trust of a frustrated and irate voting public, as well as hosting the US leader within days of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.