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To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural woman leader is impactful and formative.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led 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 beyond Japan's borders have reacted 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 great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

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

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

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would permit married couples to have different last names, blocking many women from keeping their birth surnames.

She's also opposed to females being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

But she has historically backed the notion of a more traditional role for women in the community and in the home.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive record on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

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

Based on the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to boost the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how females view their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the grain. She's saying the identical views as the men.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a woman.

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

Political Background and Influences

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

It's also evident by who her supporters inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the party's right wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to somewhat identify with her success because it furthers this notion that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from women as too”.

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it might make our role harder.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate voting public, as in addition to hosting president Trump within days of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.