🔗 Share this article

For many young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm 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 now led by a female.

However, although the appearances speak of a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to observe how individuals outside Japan have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

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

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm right-wing politician.

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow spouses to have different last names, preventing many females from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also against women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

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

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

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

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. Specifically, females make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “emergency” 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 Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how females perceive their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told local media.

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 society, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

However a 20-year-old 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 really going against the norm. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her policies. We must be capable of criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background 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 evident by which individuals her supporters inside the party have been.

She was mentored of the deceased former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

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

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for females in government, “people are going to expect the same from us as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it might make our job harder.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to hosting 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 priority list.