🔗 Share this article

For many female youth in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural female prime minister is impactful and formative.

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

However, although the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how people outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

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

In my opinion that's a very naive interpretation.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her statements during her campaign – saying she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned potential tax breaks for families spending on childcare.

Yet she has historically backed the notion of a conventional role for women in the community and in the family.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar record on equality concerns.

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and most skilled 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 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.

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

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. Specifically, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators 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 announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how women view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and society, despite biased expectations and norms still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to reach that position.

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a defender of the patriarchy.

Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the late ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for women to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this notion that we have to be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from us as well”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our role harder.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the trust of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.