To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural female prime minister is impactful and influential.
This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.
However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.
It was rather interesting to see how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old states.
People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female 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 view.”
Conversely, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”
A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.
And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm right-wing politician.
Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.
Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many females from keeping their birth surnames.
She's also against women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.
Nonetheless, she did soften some of her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for families spending on childcare.
But she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional position for women in the community and in the home.
When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive record on gender issues.
Japan's Inequality in Context
Women in Japan are among the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.
Based on the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among 148 countries, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.
Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to increase the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.
The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.
It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.
Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment
Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how women perceive their prospects.
“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.
Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still persist.
However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to reach that office.
“She's also not really going against the norm. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”
Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.
“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We must be capable of evaluate 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 evident by which individuals her champions within the LDP have been.
She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful right-wing factions.
His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the conservative wing in her favor.
“I believe that it is challenging for women to somewhat identify with her success because it promotes this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.
The 21-year-old concurs, stating 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 conforming, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it could render our role harder.”
Future Challenges and Anticipations
Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within days of taking power.
One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her agenda.
