🔗 Share this article

For many young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural female leader is impactful and formative.

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

However, although the appearances speak of a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to see how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to appeal to the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her messaging during her election bid – stating she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their employees and spoke of potential tax breaks for families spending on childcare.

But she has over the years supported the notion of a conventional position for females in the community and in the family.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive 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 struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. Specifically, women constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced 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 over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how females view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as authorities in companies and the community, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it took her over three decades to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the grain. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

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

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

Ideological Context and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

It's also evident by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to somewhat identify with her success because it furthers this notion that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult a citizen says.

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

“They will demand us to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the trust of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as hosting president Trump within days of taking power.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.