But others are skeptical about whether Takaichi’s inauguration truly marks a milestone for the advancement of women in Japanese politics — and about his policy ambitions to support future generations of women.
Ren Ichihara, a 24-year-old sales worker in Tokyo and a member of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), says she feels inspired by Takachi.
He said, “I believe that she was chosen as Prime Minister for her ability, that she had paved her way through tireless efforts at a time when the advancement of women in society was still not established.”
“While I look forward to the increasing presence of women as decision-makers in Japanese politics, Takaichi has become an encouraging role model for me as someone who aspires to be a politician,” she told DW.
Many other young women without political ambitions also view Japan’s first female PM in a positive light.
“First of all, I’m happy that Japan finally has a female prime minister,” said Ayano Suzuki, 27, who works in Shizuoka Prefecture.
He said Takachi’s election has attracted the attention of people who are not usually interested in politics, which “has had a positive effect.”
Fumi Nakamura, a 27-year-old woman who works for a Japanese English-language publisher, said, “I already have a potentially favorable impression of Takaichi. I think the younger generation feels closer to him psychologically.”
Gender narrative weighs heavily on policy
Meanwhile, a 26-year-old Japanese female graduate student in China, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was disappointed when Takachi was elected Japan’s first female PM.
“Feminists, including myself, don’t support a politician just because she’s a woman,” she told DW. “She may be a product of Japan’s decades-long male-dominated political world.”
Suzuki also finds it problematic that much of the discussion about Japan’s new administration focuses on gender aspects, with little attention paid to the substance of its policies.
For example, Takaichi admitted that “about two hours now, four hours at the longest,” adding that “I think it’s bad for my skin.” Suzuki said such stories “seem to be disconnected from the essence of politics and her being a woman.”
Shinzo Abe’s disciple
Takachi’s first policy speech signaled his intention to carry forward the strategies of Japan’s slain former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who won six consecutive elections thanks to his nationalist agenda and growth-oriented economic policies.
Takaichi used phrases that Abe had used, such as “a strong economy” and “Japanese diplomacy blossoming at the center of the world.”
Sawako Shirahase, research professor at the University of Tokyo, explains that Takachi “has made maximum use of or copied all the infrastructure of Shinzo Abe’s former administration to get to where he is today.”
On November 7, Takaichi said that a Chinese military attack on Taiwan could pose an “existential threat” to Japan, which would potentially allow Tokyo to exercise its legal right of collective self-defense. His comments drew a sharp reaction from China and retaliatory action was taken.
Young voters strongly support Takaichi
Despite this, his approval ratings remain the highest in Japanese history.
According to a survey of Mainichi In the newspoll held on 22 and 23 November, the approval rate for the Takachi administration was 65% – while the disapproval rate was 23%.
The survey showed a support rate of 74% among those aged 18–29 and 76% among those aged 30, indicating the Takachi administration’s exceptionally high popularity among the younger generation.
In contrast, the previous administration of Shigeru Ishiba had an 11% support rate among people aged 18–29 and 15% among people over 30.
Research professor Shirahase argues that women in politics need to move forward strategically.
Shirahase said, “In Japanese politics, where the traditional conservative base is very strong, women as minorities in politics must work hard without upsetting the men above them.” “Takaichi is someone who has internalized the stereotype.”
Keiko Kazuma, vice president of diversity at Iwate University in Morioka, describes Takachi as “a blend of conservatism and feminism.”
“The Conservative Party is bringing women into politics to update itself, which has led to a female prime minister,” she said.
Women in Politics: How Far Has Japan Come?
Of the 522 candidates running in July’s election for the smaller and less powerful Upper House of Japan’s two-member parliament, 29.1% were women. This represents the second highest rate ever, although below the target of 35% set by the Japanese government in 2020.
“This is important in the sense that the liberal side was not able to embody women’s passion in the form of a female prime minister,” said Kaizuma, who added that “feminism and liberalism have not been successful in organizing young women.”
She also points out that compared to Europe and the US, Japan lacks an environment that encourages young women to become involved in politics or community work.
The symbolism of breaking the glass ceiling is powerful because it gives young women the courage to believe they can overcome such obstacles, Kazuma said.
Ichihara, who hopes to become a politician, aims to “bring into the political arena the voices of women, youth and other groups historically excluded from decision-making.”
She concluded, “I want Japan to be a country where the potential of individuals can be maximized, even in the face of population decline, without their choices being restricted by characteristics beyond their control that they were born with.”
Edited by: Keith Walker
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