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

To numerous female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever woman leader is powerful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a female.

But while the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to see how people outside Japan have responded to the news,” 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 significant chance for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance 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 conservative.

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

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their maiden names.

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

However, she moderated some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible deductions for families spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has historically supported the notion of a conventional role for women 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 equality concerns.

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 conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

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

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and society, despite biased expectations and norms still remain.

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to reach that office.

“She's also not truly challenging the norm. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her policies. We need to be capable of evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Influences

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

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

She's the protégé of the late ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member 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 consolidating the conservative wing behind her.

“I believe that it is challenging for females to somewhat relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “the public are going to expect the identical from us as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as in addition to hosting the US leader within days of assuming office.

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