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

It means a patriarchal society 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, some women 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 says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive interpretation.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to attract the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

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

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she did soften certain her messaging during her campaign – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for families investing in child-rearing.

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

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive record on equality concerns.

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

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

The world's fourth largest economy ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. Specifically, females constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how females view their prospects.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and the community, despite biased expectations and expectations still remain.

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“She's also not really going against the norm. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform just due to the fact she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her policies. We must be capable of evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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

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

She's the protégé of the deceased former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the conservative wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is difficult for women to somewhat identify with her achievement because it furthers this notion that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult a citizen says.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “people are going to expect the same from us as well”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it could render our role harder.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the trust of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as hosting president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her priority list.