Young women split on Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female PM – DW

Analysis of Japan’s First Female Prime Minister in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals

Milestone for SDG 5: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

The election of Sanae Takaichi as Japan’s first female prime minister represents a significant, albeit complex, development for Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality). The event has elicited varied responses regarding its impact on women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in political life (SDG Target 5.5).

• Positive Reception: Many young women view the election as an inspirational achievement. Supporters, such as 24-year-old Ren Ichihara, see Ms. Takaichi as a role model who has advanced through a male-dominated political system, providing encouragement for future generations of female leaders. This symbolic victory is seen as a powerful step in breaking the “glass ceiling” and fostering an environment where women’s political aspirations are validated.
• Skeptical Views: Conversely, other observers express caution. They question whether a single appointment can fundamentally alter systemic barriers to women’s advancement. Concerns have been raised that Ms. Takaichi’s rise occurred within the established conservative political structure, and her policies may not align with broader feminist goals. Critics argue that a politician’s gender does not guarantee the promotion of gender-centric policies.
• Narrative Concerns: A notable issue is the tendency for public discourse to focus on Ms. Takaichi’s gender rather than the substance of her policies. This highlights a persistent challenge in achieving SDG 5, where female leaders are often viewed through a different lens than their male counterparts, detracting from their political and economic agendas.

Political Inclusion and Institutional Strength (SDG 10 & SDG 16)

Ms. Takaichi’s premiership is a focal point for assessing Japan’s progress toward building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions (SDG 16) and reducing inequalities (SDG 10) through representative decision-making.

1. State of Female Representation: While Ms. Takaichi’s appointment is a landmark, broader metrics show a mixed picture. In the recent upper house election, women constituted 29.1% of candidates. This figure, while a near-record high, fell short of the government’s 35% target, indicating that systemic change is still required to achieve equal representation (SDG Target 5.5).
2. Youth Aspiration for Inclusion: The event has galvanized some young people to advocate for greater inclusion. Aspiring politicians like Ren Ichihara aim to integrate the voices of women, youth, and other historically excluded groups into the political process, directly aligning with SDG Target 10.2, which calls for the social, economic, and political inclusion of all.
3. Political Dynamics: Analysts note that Ms. Takaichi’s success involved navigating a deeply entrenched conservative political system. Experts describe her as a “hybrid of conservatism and feminism,” suggesting that the ruling party is adapting by incorporating female leaders to maintain relevance, a strategic move that impacts the nature of institutional change.

Economic and Foreign Policy Agenda

The new administration’s policy direction indicates a continuation of established economic and geopolitical strategies, with implications for several SDGs.

• Economic Strategy and SDG 8: Ms. Takaichi has signaled her intent to carry on the growth-oriented economic policies (“Abenomics”) of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. This focus on a “strong economy” aligns with the objectives of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), though the specific impacts on sustainable and inclusive growth remain to be seen.
• Geopolitical Stance: Her assertive foreign policy statements, particularly regarding Taiwan, have drawn international attention and countermeasures from China. This approach impacts regional stability and has implications for SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) on a global scale.

Public Reception and Youth Engagement

The Takaichi administration has garnered exceptionally high approval ratings, particularly among younger demographics, suggesting a potential shift in political engagement.

• High Approval Ratings: A November poll by The Mainichi newspaper reported a 65% approval rating for the Takaichi administration.
• Strong Youth Support: Support was notably high among young people, with a 74% approval rate among those aged 18–29 and 76% among those in their 30s. This contrasts sharply with the previous administration’s low single-digit support in the same age groups. This high level of engagement from youth is a positive indicator for ensuring responsive and participatory decision-making as outlined in SDG 16.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The article’s central theme is the election of Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, which directly relates to achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. The text explores whether this event “truly marks a milestone for women’s advancement in Japanese politics” and discusses the “growing presence of women as decision-makers.”

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• This goal is addressed through the aspiration to reduce political inequality. The article quotes Ren Ichihara, who aims to “bring the voices of women, young people, and other groups historically excluded from decision-making into the political sphere.” This highlights the need for political inclusion of marginalized groups to reduce inequalities in representation and power.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article connects to SDG 16 by focusing on the development of inclusive and representative institutions. The discussion about the percentage of female candidates in elections and the election of a female prime minister are central to ensuring “responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels,” which is a key aspect of building strong institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.

• This target is directly relevant as the article revolves around Sanae Takaichi’s election as “Japan’s first female prime minister,” representing leadership at the highest level of political decision-making. The text also discusses the broader issue of “women’s advancement in society” and the “growing presence of women as decision-makers in Japanese politics.”

Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

• The article reflects this target through the expressed goal of making Japanese politics more inclusive. Ren Ichihara’s ambition is to “bring the voices of women, young people, and other groups historically excluded from decision-making into the political sphere,” directly aligning with the aim of promoting political inclusion for all.

Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.

• This target is identified through the article’s examination of female representation in Japan’s political institutions. The discussion about the proportion of female candidates in the upper house election and the significance of having a female prime minister are directly related to making Japan’s decision-making bodies more representative of its population.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicator for Target 5.5 (Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments)

• The article provides a specific statistic that serves as a direct indicator: “Women accounted for 29.1% of the 522 candidates who ran in July’s election for the upper house.” It also mentions a national goal, which is another indicator of progress: “the target of 35% set by the Japanese government in 2020.” The very event of the “first female prime minister” is a qualitative indicator of women reaching the highest level of political leadership.

Indicator for Target 10.2 (Political Inclusion)

• While the article does not provide a quantitative indicator, it implies a qualitative one through the voices of young women. The statement that Takaichi’s election has “captured the attention of people who are not usually interested in politics” and that she serves as an “encouraging role model” for aspiring female politicians suggests a potential increase in political engagement and inclusion among women and youth.

Indicator for Target 16.7 (Proportion of positions in public institutions)

• The data point that “Women accounted for 29.1% of the 522 candidates” in an election for the national legislature is a direct measure related to this indicator. It quantifies the level of female participation in the process of filling positions in a key public institution, Japan’s parliament.

4. Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: dw.com