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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural woman prime minister is impactful and influential.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how people outside Japan have responded to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

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

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

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

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would allow spouses to have different last names, blocking many females from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she moderated some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for families spending on childcare.

Yet she has historically backed the notion of a more traditional role for women in society and in the family.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's subpar record on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

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

Based on the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

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

The world's fourth largest economy ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. In detail, women make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type 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.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how females perceive their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel 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 notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that position.

“She's also not really going against the grain. She's saying 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 female.

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

Political Context and Associations

It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the patriarchy.

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

She's the protégé of the deceased former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to somewhat relate to her achievement because it promotes this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for women in government, “people are going to expect the same from women as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a discontented and irate electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

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