For many young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever woman prime minister is powerful and formative.
This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.
But while the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.
It was rather interesting to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.
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 equal rights in Japan’.
“I think that's a very naive interpretation.”
Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”
A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.
Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.
Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.
Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow married couples to have different last names, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.
Additionally, she is opposed to females being in line for succession in the royal household.
Nonetheless, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – stating she supports giving financial benefits to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for households investing in childcare.
But she has historically backed the notion of a more traditional position for females in the community and in the home.
When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar record on equality concerns.
Japan's Inequality in Context
Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.
Based on the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among 148 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.
Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.
The globally fourth biggest economy places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, women make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.
Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.
Differing Reactions to the Landmark Appointment
Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how women view their prospects.
“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who became the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed local media.
She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.
However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to reach that office.
“She's also not really challenging the norm. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”
The young woman further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.
“We need to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be capable of evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”
Ideological Background and Influences
It is not just what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a supporter of the patriarchy.
It's also apparent by which individuals her champions within the LDP have been.
She's the protégé of the late ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.
His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the conservative wing behind her.
“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we must be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen 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 women to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it might make our role harder.”
Future Obstacles and Anticipations
Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and inflation and regaining the confidence of a discontented and angry voting public, as in addition to hosting president Trump within a short time of assuming office.
One can reasonably assume that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her agenda.
