Japan's Pioneering Female Leader: An Unprecedented Moment that Comes with Reservations

For many female youth in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever woman leader is powerful and influential.

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

However, although the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to see how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative supporters 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 separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is opposed to women being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she moderated some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that provide daycare services to their staff and spoke of possible tax breaks for families investing in child-rearing.

But she has historically supported the notion of a conventional role for females in society and in the home.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar performance on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are some of the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 countries, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

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

The world's fourth largest economy ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. In detail, women constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how women perceive their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that office.

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

“We need to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Associations

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

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her champions within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- hawkish 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 ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to sort of identify with her success because it promotes this notion that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen remarks.

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

“They will demand women to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our role harder.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.