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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever female prime minister is powerful and influential.

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

However, although the appearances speak of a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

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

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

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

However, she moderated certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she favours giving financial benefits to companies that provide childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for households investing in childcare.

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

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among 148 nations, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to increase the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. Specifically, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

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

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who became the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

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

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that office.

“She's also not really challenging the norm. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a female.

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

Ideological Background and Influences

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

Additionally, it is apparent by who her supporters inside the party have been.

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

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the party's right wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” young adult a citizen says.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from women as too”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within days of assuming office.

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