The Nation's First Woman Prime Minister: An Unprecedented Moment with Caveats

For many female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever woman prime minister is powerful and formative.

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

However, although the optics speak of a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” 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 significant chance for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a rather simplistic view.”

Instead, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “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 nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the governing LDP to appeal to the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow spouses to have different last names, preventing many females from keeping their birth surnames.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her statements during her election bid – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned possible deductions for households investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the idea of a conventional role for women in the community and in the home.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive record on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 countries, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest 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 make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how females perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“She's also not really 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 woman.

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We must be able to evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Political Context and Associations

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

It's also apparent by who her supporters within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for females to sort of relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

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

“They will demand women to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, as well as hosting the US leader 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.