Japan's First Female Prime Minister: An Unprecedented Event that Comes with Caveats

To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural woman leader is powerful and influential.

It means a patriarchal society and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

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

“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 rather simplistic view.”

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning 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 allow married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many females from retaining their birth surnames.

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

However, she moderated some of her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of potential tax breaks for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has historically supported the notion of a conventional position for women in society and in the family.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive record on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

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

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. In detail, females constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how females view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as leaders in businesses and society, even as biased expectations and expectations still persist.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the norm. She expresses the same thing 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.

“It is essential to make sure we're talking about her policies. We must be able to evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Political Background and Influences

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

Additionally, it is evident by who her supporters inside the party have been.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP 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 conservative wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is difficult for females to sort of identify with her success because it promotes this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “the public are going to expect the same from women as too”.

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

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

It's safe to say that few anticipate women's rights matters to be high on her priority list.