For many young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever woman leader is impactful and influential.
This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is now led by a woman.
But while the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.
“It was quite interesting to see how people outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” 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 female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.
“I think that's a rather simplistic view.”
Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”
A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.
Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.
Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to attract the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.
The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would allow married couples to have different last names, preventing many women from keeping their birth surnames.
Additionally, she is against females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.
However, she moderated certain her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for families investing in childcare.
But she has historically supported the notion of a more traditional role for females in the community and in the home.
Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar performance on equality concerns.
Japan's Inequality in Context
Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.
Based on the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.
Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.
The world's fourth largest economic power ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.
Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed 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.
Mixed Reactions to the Historic Leadership
Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how females perceive their opportunities.
“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.
She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.
But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to get to that position.
“She's also not really challenging the grain. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”
The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a woman.
“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her policies. We must be capable of criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”
Political Context and Associations
It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a defender of the patriarchy.
Additionally, it is apparent by who her champions within the LDP have been.
She's the protégé of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.
Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the conservative wing behind her.
“I do feel that it is difficult for females to sort of relate to her achievement because it promotes this idea that we have to be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.
Ms Ogura agrees, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “people are likely to anticipate the same from women as too”.
“They will demand us to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it might make our job more difficult.”
Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations
Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of assuming office.
One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.
