The Nation's First Woman Leader: An Unprecedented Event that Comes with Reservations

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

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a very naive interpretation.”

Conversely, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would allow married couples to have different last names, blocking many women from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her statements during her campaign – saying she favours giving tax incentives to companies that provide childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned possible deductions for families spending on childcare.

But she has over the years supported the idea of a conventional role for women in society and in the home.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 nations, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to increase the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. Specifically, females constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how females perceive their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the grain. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her policies. We must be able to evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Influences

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

It's also apparent by which individuals her champions inside the party have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the conservative wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to somewhat identify with her success because it furthers this idea that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, 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 conforming, not go against the ideals that they hold, and it could render our job harder.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within days of taking power.

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