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

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

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

However, although the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to see how individuals outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

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

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many females from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against females being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her statements during her campaign – stating she supports giving tax incentives to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible deductions for families spending on childcare.

Yet she has historically supported the notion of a more traditional role for females in the community and in the home.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

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

According to the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. In detail, women make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Leadership

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how women perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that position.

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

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a female.

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

Ideological Background and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the male-dominated system.

Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her supporters inside the party have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the party's right wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to somewhat identify with her success because it promotes this idea that we must be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “people are likely to anticipate the same from us as well”.

“They will demand women to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it might make our job harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the trust of a discontented and angry voting public, as well as welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

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