🔗 Share this article

For many young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever woman prime minister is impactful and influential.

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

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

“It was quite fascinating to see how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

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

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would permit spouses to have different last names, blocking many women from keeping their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her statements during her campaign – stating she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for families spending on child-rearing.

But she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional position for women in the community and in the family.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. In detail, women make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could alter how women perceive their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

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

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that office.

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

The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her policies. We must be able to criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Associations

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

Additionally, it is evident by who her supporters within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the deceased former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from us as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it could render our role harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry voting public, as in addition to hosting president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.