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

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

But while the appearances suggest a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to see how individuals outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against women being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her messaging during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their staff and spoke of possible tax breaks for families spending on childcare.

Yet she has historically supported the idea of a more traditional position for females in society and in the home.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar record on equality concerns.

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

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

Based on the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. 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 female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how females perceive their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country'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 females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the norm. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

The young woman further states 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.”

Political Context and Influences

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

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

She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the party's right wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for women in government, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from women as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it could render our job harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and angry voting public, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her agenda.