🔗 Share this article

For many female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever woman leader is powerful and formative.

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated 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 see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded 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 female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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 staunch conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to appeal to the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many females from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she did soften some of her statements during her campaign – saying she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned possible deductions for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has historically backed the notion of a more traditional position for females in the community and in the family.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% 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 announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic 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 Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who became the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that position.

“She's also not truly going against the norm. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a female.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her policies. We must be able to criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Influences

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

It's also evident by who her supporters within the LDP have were.

She's the protégé of the late former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the conservative wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is challenging for women to somewhat relate to her success because it furthers this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

Ms Ogura agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for females in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from women as too”.

“They will demand us to be conforming, not go against the ideals that they have, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within days of taking power.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.