🔗 Share this article

To numerous young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural woman leader is impactful and formative.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

But while the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

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 gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive interpretation.”

Conversely, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the governing LDP to appeal to the more conservative base 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 spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many females from retaining their maiden names.

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

However, she did soften certain her statements during her election bid – stating she supports giving financial benefits to companies that offer daycare services to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for households spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years supported the notion of a conventional role for women in the community and in the family.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive record on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 nations, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to boost the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. Specifically, women make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

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 available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how females view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who became the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as authorities in companies and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to reach that office.

“She's also not truly going against the grain. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she shouldn't be put 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 able to criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Influences

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

Additionally, it is apparent by who her champions within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the late 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 leadership of one of the government's most influential 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 difficult for women to sort of relate to her achievement because it furthers this notion that we must be obedient with the existing system,” young adult a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura agrees, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from women as too”.

“They will demand women to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it might make our role harder.”

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the trust of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within a short time of taking power.

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