What Sanae Takaichi’s popularity among women says about gender equality in Japan

Sanae Takaichi, Japan's first female prime minister, has amassed a significant following among women, particularly younger voters, since taking office in October. This phenomenon, dubbed "Sanakatsu" or "Sana-mania," has sparked discussions about her popularity and its implications for gender equality in Japan. Takaichi, who has advocated for conservative positions on issues like surnames and the imperial throne, has faced criticism from feminists.

However, her popularity among women may not necessarily indicate support for her political views. Instead, some analysts suggest that younger women and women support her due to her work ethic and because they prioritize policies that improve their financial situations over abstract gender equality concerns. Others argue that her gender is the key factor, as many voters simply wanted to see a woman at the top after decades of male leadership.

As an anthropologist who has researched Japanese women for over a decade, the author believes that these explanations are incomplete. The author asserts that Japan's gender inequality persists, with women shouldering the majority of household responsibilities despite working demanding jobs. The author highlights that women may not challenge gender inequality head-on due to the fear of backlash, as seen in the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, where questioning government reassurances about food safety led to women facing criticism and even domestic violence from their husbands.

Takaichi's popularity and the "work, work, work" performance she embodies may reveal the persistence of a problematic gendered ideal in Japan, where women are expected to quietly manage inequality alongside their professional lives.