Japan's First Woman Prime Minister: A Historic Moment that Comes with Reservations

For many young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever female leader is impactful and influential.

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

People are saying, ‘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’.

“I think that's a very naive interpretation.”

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

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

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

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have different last names, blocking many females from keeping their maiden names.

She's also against women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her statements during her election bid – saying she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

Yet she has historically supported the idea of a conventional role for females in the community and in the family.

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among 148 countries, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how females view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it required her over three decades to reach that position.

“She's also not truly going against the grain. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

“We need to make sure we're discussing her policies. We must be capable of criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Influences

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

It's also apparent by who her champions within the LDP have been.

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 senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for women to somewhat relate to her achievement because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for females in government, “people are going to expect the same from women as too”.

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a discontented and angry voting public, as well as hosting president Trump within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.