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

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to see how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

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

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

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would allow married couples to have different last names, preventing many women from keeping their maiden names.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

However, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – saying she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for families investing in child-rearing.

But she has over the years backed the idea of a more traditional role for females in society and in the home.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar performance on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among 148 countries, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity 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 women in its national parliament. Specifically, women make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Leadership

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

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and society, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

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

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a female.

“It is essential to make sure we're talking about her policies. We must be able to evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Influences

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

Additionally, it is evident by who her supporters inside the party have been.

She's the protégé of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to somewhat identify with her achievement because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult a citizen says.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for females in government, “the public are going to expect the same from us as well”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.