🔗 Share this article

For many young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural woman prime minister is powerful and formative.

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

But while the appearances speak of a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a rather simplistic view.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm right-wing politician.

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

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she did soften certain her messaging during her election bid – saying she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for families spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has historically supported the idea of a more traditional role for females in society and in the family.

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

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to increase the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. Specifically, females constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how women perceive their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the grain. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

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

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

Political Background and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the late ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the party's right wing behind her.

“I believe that it is difficult for females to somewhat relate to her success because it furthers this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “the public are going to expect the same from women as too”.

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

Future Challenges and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the trust of a discontented and irate electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her priority list.