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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever female leader is impactful and formative.

It means a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a female.

However, although the appearances speak of a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to see how people outside Japan have responded 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 female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces 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 ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to appeal to the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would permit married couples to have different last names, preventing many women from retaining their maiden names.

She's also against women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her statements during her election bid – stating she favours giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for families spending on childcare.

But she has historically backed the notion of a conventional position for females in the community and in the home.

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

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

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

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about less than 16% of legislators 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 over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how females perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who became the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in companies and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the norm. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”

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

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We must be able to criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Influences

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

It's also evident by which individuals her champions inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the deceased former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

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

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

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

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of assuming office.

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