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To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural female prime minister is impactful and formative.

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

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

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

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

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

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to appeal to the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

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

She's also against women being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she did soften certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of potential tax breaks for families investing in childcare.

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

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

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

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

According to the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

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

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment

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

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the norm. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a female.

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

Political Background and Influences

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

It's also apparent by which individuals her supporters inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the late ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member 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 crucial in uniting the conservative wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to sort of relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen remarks.

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

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

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as welcoming president Trump within days of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.