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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural female leader is impactful and formative.

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

However, although the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

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 equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

Conversely, the young woman 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 always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to attract the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many women from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

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

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar performance on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, females make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

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

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and norms still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the grain. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

The young woman further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

Political Context and Associations

It is not only what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a defender of the male-dominated system.

Additionally, it is evident by who her champions within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for females to somewhat relate to her achievement because it furthers this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are likely to anticipate the same from us as too”.

“They will demand us to be conforming, not go against the ideals that they hold, and it might make our job harder.”

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and inflation and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and irate voting public, as well as welcoming president Trump within days of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.