The Nation's Pioneering Female Prime Minister: A Historic Event that Comes with Reservations

To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever woman prime minister is impactful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the optics speak of a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to see how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to 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 “Iron Lady” of her country.

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 attract the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit married couples to have different last names, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also opposed to females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her statements during her campaign – saying she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that provide daycare services to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

But she has historically backed the notion of a more traditional 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 gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. Specifically, females make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type 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 Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how females view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who became the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to get to that position.

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

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

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

Ideological Context and Influences

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 supporters within the LDP have were.

She's the protégé of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the conservative wing behind her.

“I believe that it is difficult for females to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

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

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a slow growth and inflation and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and irate voting public, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.