In brief
Sanae Takaichi's appointment as Japan's first female prime minister marks a significant milestone in the nation's progress. However, many women express concerns that she does not advocate for genuine change. Despite the symbolism of her leadership, Takaichi's conservative policies and historical alignment with the patriarchal system raise doubts about her commitment to gender equality in Japan, a country already struggling with female representation in politics and other key areas.
For many young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm of power as the country's first ever female leader is powerful and formative. It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a woman.
But while the optics speak of a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an advocate for change. It was quite interesting to see how people outside Japan have reacted to the news, Ayda Ogura, 21, says. Everyone's like, 'wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan'. I think that's a very naive interpretation. Instead, Ms Ogura points to her political beliefs and what she stands for, adding: She perpetuates the patriarchal system.
A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Britain's first female prime minister, Takaichi has always wanted to be the Iron Lady of her country. And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative. Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to appeal to the more conservative base, which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.
Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many women from keeping their maiden names. She's also against women being in line for succession in the imperial family. However, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign - supporting tax incentives for companies that provide childcare facilities and mentioning tax breaks for families spending on childcare. Yet, she has backed traditional roles for women in society.
Japanese women are among the best educated yet struggle with traditional societal roles. Despite Takaichi's historic role, many fear it does not indicate a shift towards gender equality.
While some advocate for her rise as a positive symbol, intuitive observers suggest her policies reflect a continuation of Japan's conservative trends. Audrey Hill-Uekawa, 20, cautions against idolizing her solely because she is a woman, emphasizing the need to hold her accountable for her policies. Acknowledging that it took Takaichi decades to ascend to prime ministership, observers anticipate that gender equality issues may not be prioritized in her administration.
