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For many female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever female prime minister is powerful and formative.

It means a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a female.

However, although the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” 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 gender equality in Japan’.

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

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 Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

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

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many females from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also against women being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible deductions for households investing in child-rearing.

But she has over the years backed the notion of a conventional position for females in society and in the home.

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

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

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

According to the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

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

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Appointment

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

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as authorities in companies and society, even as biased expectations and norms still remain.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to get to that position.

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Influences

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

It's also apparent by which individuals her supporters inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the party's right wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is challenging for women to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

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 well”.

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

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to hosting the US leader within days of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her agenda.