🔗 Share this article

To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever woman prime minister is powerful and formative.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a female.

However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to see how people outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would permit spouses to have different last names, preventing many women from retaining their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her statements during her campaign – saying she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that offer daycare services to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for families spending on childcare.

But she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional 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 record on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are among the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. Specifically, women constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how women perceive their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who became the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a female 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 gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the grain. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her policies. We need to be able to evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has stated which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the patriarchy.

It's also evident by which individuals her champions inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the late ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the party's right wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to somewhat identify with her achievement because it furthers this idea that we have to be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

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

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it might make our role harder.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.