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For many female youth in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural female leader is powerful and formative.

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

But while the appearances suggest a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura 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 rather simplistic interpretation.”

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

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

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

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also opposed to women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their employees and mentioned possible deductions for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional position for females in the community and in the family.

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

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are among the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about less than 16% 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 announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

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

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, 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 notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

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

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 ensure we're discussing her agenda. We must be able to criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Political Context and Influences

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

It's also apparent by who her champions within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the party's right wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is challenging for women to somewhat identify with her achievement because it promotes this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult a citizen says.

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “people are going to expect the identical from us as well”.

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

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of taking power.

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