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For many female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever female prime minister is impactful and formative.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the optics speak of a progressive moment, certain females 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 news,” a 21-year-old states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female 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 view.”

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

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

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

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to attract the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

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

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

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her messaging during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned possible tax breaks for families spending on childcare.

But she has historically backed the idea of a more traditional role for women in the community and in the family.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 nations, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Leadership

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

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the norm. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds 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 policies. We must be able to criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Associations

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

It's also apparent by who her champions inside the party have been.

She's the protégé of the late ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of relate to her success because it promotes this idea 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 females in politics, “the public are going to expect the identical from women as too”.

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

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and inflation and winning back the trust of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming 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 agenda.