Japan's First Woman Leader: An Unprecedented Event with Caveats

To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever 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 woman.

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted 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 equal rights in Japan’.

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer 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 ascension is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to appeal to the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would permit married couples to have different last names, preventing many females from retaining their maiden names.

She's also against women being in line for succession in the imperial family.

However, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for families spending on childcare.

But she has over the years backed the notion of a conventional position for women in the community and in the family.

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

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to boost the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. Specifically, women constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how women perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as authorities in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the grain. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

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

Political Context and Associations

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

Additionally, it is apparent by who her supporters inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the deceased former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her achievement because it promotes this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult a citizen says.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “the public are going to expect the same from us as too”.

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not go against the ideals that they have, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate voting public, as in addition to hosting president Trump within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her agenda.