The Nation's First Woman Leader: A Historic Event that Comes with Caveats

For many female youth in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural woman prime minister is impactful and influential.

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

But while the optics speak of a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to see how people outside Japan have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

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

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

Instead, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

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

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

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

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

However, she moderated certain her statements during her election bid – saying she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of potential deductions for families spending on childcare.

But she has over the years backed the idea of a more traditional role for women in the community and in the home.

Regarding 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 demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among 148 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to increase the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. Specifically, 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 women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how women perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the norm. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a female.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We must be able to evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Influences

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

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

She was mentored of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to sort of identify with her achievement because it promotes this idea that we must be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from women as well”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it might make our job harder.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and angry electorate, as in addition to hosting president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.