To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever female leader is powerful and influential.
It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.
However, although the appearances speak of a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.
It was rather fascinating to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.
“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.
In my opinion that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”
Conversely, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”
A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.
And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.
Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.
The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many females from keeping their maiden names.
Additionally, she is against females being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.
Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their staff and spoke of possible tax breaks for families spending on child-rearing.
Yet she has over the years supported the idea of a conventional role for women in society and in the home.
When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.
The Country's Gender Gap in Context
Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.
According to the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among 148 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.
Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.
The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.
It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.
Differing Reactions to the Historic Appointment
Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how females perceive their opportunities.
“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who became the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed local media.
She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as leaders in companies and the community, even as biased expectations and norms still remain.
But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it required her over three decades to reach that position.
“Additionally, she is not really going against the grain. She's saying the same thing as the men.”
The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.
“We need to ensure we're talking about her policies. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly as everyone else.”
Political Background and Associations
It is not only what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a defender of the male-dominated system.
It's also apparent by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have been.
She's the protégé of the deceased former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.
Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the party's right wing in her favor.
“I do feel that it is difficult for women to somewhat identify with her success because it furthers this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi says.
Ms Ogura agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “the public are going to expect the identical from women as too”.
“They will demand women to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it could render our job more difficult.”
Future Obstacles and Expectations
Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as welcoming the US leader within days of taking power.
One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.
