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To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever woman leader is impactful and influential.

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

However, although the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

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

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

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

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow spouses to have different last names, blocking many women from keeping their maiden names.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

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

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive record on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Context

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

Based on the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to increase the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. Specifically, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how women perceive their opportunities.

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

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as leaders in companies and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it took her over three decades to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the norm. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her policies. We need to be able to evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Influences

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

Additionally, it is apparent by who her supporters within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the late ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the party's right wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to somewhat relate to her success because it promotes this idea that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen says.

Ms Ogura agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from women as too”.

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

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and angry voting public, as well as welcoming president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her priority list.