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

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

But while the appearances speak of a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

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

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

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

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would allow married couples to have different last names, preventing many females from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she moderated certain her statements during her campaign – stating she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential tax breaks for families spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has historically supported the notion of a conventional position for females in the community and in the family.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive record on equality concerns.

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could alter how females view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to reach that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the norm. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a woman.

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We must be capable of evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

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

She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for women to somewhat relate to her success because it promotes this idea that we have to be compliant with the existing system,” young adult a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “people are likely to anticipate the same from women as well”.

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.