🔗 Share this article

To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural woman leader is impactful and formative.

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

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

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

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the governing LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

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

However, she moderated certain her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of potential deductions for households spending on childcare.

Yet she has historically supported the notion of a conventional role for women in the community and in the home.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar record on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

According to the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to boost the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. Specifically, females make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how women perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who became the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to reach that office.

“She's also not truly challenging the grain. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

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

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be capable of criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a supporter of the patriarchy.

It's also apparent by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have were.

She's the protégé of the deceased former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the party's right wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is challenging for women to somewhat relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we must be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a symbol for women in government, “the public are going to expect the identical from women as well”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and inflation and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as welcoming president Trump within days of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her priority list.