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

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

But while the optics suggest a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

“Everyone's like, ‘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 rather simplistic view.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted 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 parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would allow married couples to have different last names, preventing many females from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

However, she moderated some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for families spending on childcare.

Yet she has historically supported the idea of a more traditional position for women in the community and in the family.

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

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 countries, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to boost the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy places 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 G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how women perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is normal to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to reach that position.

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

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be able to criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Influences

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

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

She was mentored of the deceased former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the conservative wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her achievement because it promotes this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” young adult a citizen says.

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from women as well”.

“They will demand us to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it might make our role harder.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as well as hosting president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.