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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 female prime minister is impactful and influential.

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to see how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

“Everyone's like, ‘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’.

“I think that's a rather simplistic view.”

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would permit married couples to have different last names, preventing many females from retaining their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of potential deductions for families spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years supported the idea of a conventional position for women in the community and in the home.

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

Japan'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 demands of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

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

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

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

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who became the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still remain.

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to reach that office.

“She's also not truly challenging the grain. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

“It is essential to make sure we're talking about her policies. We need to be capable of evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Influences

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

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

She's the protégé of the deceased former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for females to sort of identify with her achievement because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult a citizen says.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from us as too”.

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

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the trust of a discontented and irate voting public, as in addition to hosting the US leader within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.