The Nation's Pioneering Woman Leader: An Unprecedented Moment with Caveats

For many 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 patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the optics speak of a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to observe how people outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

“Everyone's like, ‘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.”

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs 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 country.

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

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

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

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for families investing in child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years backed the notion of a conventional role for females in the community and in the family.

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

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands 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 nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Appointment

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

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in companies and society, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it took her over three decades to reach that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the norm. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”

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

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Political Background and Associations

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a defender of the male-dominated system.

It's also evident by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for females to sort of relate to her success because it promotes this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “the public are going to expect the identical from women as well”.

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, as well as hosting president Trump within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.