🔗 Share this article

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

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a female.

However, although the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to observe 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 female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a rather simplistic view.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the governing LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would allow spouses to have different last names, blocking many females from keeping their maiden names.

She's also against women being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their staff and mentioned potential deductions for households investing in childcare.

But she has historically backed the idea of a more traditional role for females in society and in the home.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar record on equality concerns.

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, females make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter 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 society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and the community, despite biased expectations and norms still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to reach that office.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the grain. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

The young woman further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a female.

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be capable of criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Background 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.

Additionally, it is apparent by who her champions inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the deceased former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the conservative wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is difficult for females to somewhat identify with her achievement because it furthers this notion that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” young adult a citizen says.

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

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within a short time of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.