The Nation's Pioneering Woman Prime Minister: An Unprecedented Event with Reservations

For many female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever woman leader is impactful and influential.

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

But while the optics suggest a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to observe how people outside Japan have responded to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

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

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Instead, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces 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 nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to attract 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 married couples to have different last names, preventing many women from retaining their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she supports giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned possible tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

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

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

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are among the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. Specifically, women constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow 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 nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Appointment

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

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in companies and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes 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.

“She's also not truly challenging the norm. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be able to evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the patriarchy.

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

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to somewhat identify with her success because it promotes this idea that we have to be compliant with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “people are likely to anticipate the same from us as too”.

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

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth and inflation and winning back the trust of a discontented and angry voting public, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.