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To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever woman prime minister is impactful and influential.

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

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

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a very naive interpretation.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many females from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is against females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her statements during her campaign – stating she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned possible deductions for households spending on childcare.

Yet she has historically supported the idea of a conventional role for women in the community and in the home.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar performance on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are among the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among 148 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to increase the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. Specifically, females make up about 15.7% of legislators 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 announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how women view their prospects.

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

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as authorities in companies and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“She's also not really challenging the norm. She's saying the identical views as the men.”

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

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

Ideological Context and Associations

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a supporter of the patriarchy.

It's also evident by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have were.

She's the protégé of the deceased former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

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

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

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “the public are going to expect the identical from women as well”.

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth 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.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.