Japan's First Female Leader: A Historic Event with Reservations

To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural female prime minister is impactful and influential.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the appearances suggest a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to see how individuals outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

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 staunch right-wing politician.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would allow married couples to have different last names, preventing many women from keeping their birth surnames.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her statements during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their staff and mentioned possible tax breaks for families spending on childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the notion of a conventional position for females in society and in the home.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar performance on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

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

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. Specifically, women constitute 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: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

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 the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who became the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the grain. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her policies. We need to be able to criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the patriarchy.

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

She was mentored of the deceased former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her success because it promotes this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from women as well”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the trust of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming 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.