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For many young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever female prime minister is impactful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a female.

However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to observe how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “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 tactical move from the ruling LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many females 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 statements during her election bid – saying she favours giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for households spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years backed the idea of a more traditional position for women in the community and in the home.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar performance on equality concerns.

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

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

The globally fourth biggest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. Specifically, women make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Appointment

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

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and the community, even as biased expectations and norms still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the norm. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Associations

It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

Additionally, it is apparent by who her champions inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

Their group'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 compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “people are going to expect the identical from us as well”.

“They will demand women to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it could render our job harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry voting public, as well as welcoming president Trump within days of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.