🔗 Share this article

For many female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural woman leader is impactful and influential.

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a female.

But while the appearances suggest a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

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

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the governing LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would allow spouses to have different last names, preventing many females from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is against females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

However, she did soften certain her statements during her campaign – saying she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned possible tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

But she has historically backed the notion of a more traditional role for women in the community and in the family.

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

Japan's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 nations, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how females perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and the community, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to reach that position.

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

The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a woman.

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her policies. We need to be capable of evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Political Background and Influences

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

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 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 influential right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for women to somewhat identify with her success because it promotes this idea that we must be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from us as too”.

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our role harder.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a slow growth and inflation and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and irate voting public, as in addition to hosting president Trump within days of assuming office.

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