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For many young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural female leader is impactful and influential.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

But while the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

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

In my opinion that's a rather simplistic view.”

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

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

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many females from retaining their birth surnames.

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

However, she did soften certain her statements during her campaign – stating she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned potential tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

Yet she has historically supported the notion of a conventional position for women in society and in the family.

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

Japan's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are among the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to increase the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy places at the bottom 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 lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how women perceive their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who became the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in companies and the community, even as biased expectations and norms still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that position.

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

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

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

Ideological Context and Associations

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

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her champions inside the party have been.

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

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

“I believe that it is challenging for women to somewhat identify with her achievement because it furthers this notion that we must be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from us as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not go against the ideals that they hold, and it could render our job harder.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

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