🔗 Share this article

For many female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural female prime minister is powerful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

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

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

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history 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 highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

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

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many females from keeping their maiden names.

She's also opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

However, she did soften certain her statements during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their staff and mentioned possible deductions for households investing in child-rearing.

But she has historically supported the notion of a more traditional position for females in the community and in the family.

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the best educated and most skilled in the globe 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 World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of women legislators 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 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how females view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who became the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as authorities in companies and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that position.

“She's also not really going against the norm. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a female.

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her policies. We must be able to evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Associations

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

Additionally, it is evident by who her champions within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the late ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party'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 females to somewhat identify with her achievement because it furthers this notion that we have to be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

Ms Ogura agrees, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from women as well”.

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

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the trust of a frustrated and irate voting public, as well as welcoming president Trump 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 agenda.