🔗 Share this article

To numerous female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever female prime minister is powerful 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.

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded 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 women empowerment and equal rights 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 Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

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

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their maiden names.

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

However, she moderated some of her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible deductions for households investing in childcare.

But she has over the years backed the idea of a conventional role for women in the community and in the family.

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

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

The world's fourth largest economy ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. Specifically, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how females perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, despite biased expectations and norms still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“She's also not really challenging the grain. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

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

Political Context and Influences

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

It's also apparent by which individuals her champions inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of identify with her achievement because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from women as well”.

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

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that few anticipate women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.