Sanae Takaichi Poised to Make History as Japan's First Female Prime Minister

Fri Oct 10 2025 15:12:19 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Amid challenges and controversies, Sanae Takaichi emerges as the first woman to lead Japan, advocating for conservative policies while tackling economic woes.

Sanae Takaichi has been elected as the new leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, positioning her to become the country's first female prime minister. The 64-year-old politician faces significant challenges, including a weakened economy, political scandals, and internal party divisions. A staunch conservative and a protégé of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi aims to revive 'Abenomics' while navigating both domestic and international complexities, including Japan's relationship with the US.

Japan's ruling conservative party has elected Sanae Takaichi as its new leader, positioning the 64-year-old to be Japan's first female prime minister.

Takaichi is among the more conservative candidates leaning to the ruling party's right. A former government minister, TV host, and avid heavy metal drummer, she is one of the best-known figures in Japanese politics - and a controversial one at that.

She faces many challenges, including contending with a sluggish economy and households struggling with relentless inflation and stagnant wages.

She will also have to navigate a rocky US-Japan relationship and see through a tariff deal with the Trump administration agreed by the previous government.

If confirmed as prime minister, one of Takaichi's key challenges will be uniting the party after a turbulent few years that saw it rocked by scandals and internal conflicts.

Last month, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, whose term lasted just over a year, announced he would step down after a series of election defeats that saw the Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) governing coalition lose its majority in both chambers of parliament.

Prof Jeff Kingston, director of Asian Studies at Temple University in Tokyo, stated that Takaichi was unlikely to have 'much success at healing the internal party rift'.

Takaichi belongs to the 'hardline' faction of the LDP, believing that 'the reason the LDP support has imploded is because it lost touch with its right-wing DNA'.

Prof Kingston highlighted that while Takaichi might reclaim right-wing voters, it could be at the expense of broader popular appeal.

Takaichi has been a long-time admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, and is now ever closer to fulfilling her ambitions.

However, many women voters do not see her as an advocate for progress. She has opposed legislation allowing women to maintain their maiden names after marriage and is against same-sex marriage.

A protégé of the late former leader Shinzo Abe, she has pledged to rejuvenate his economic vision, known as Abenomics, characterized by high fiscal spending and cheap borrowing.

Takaichi is also hawkish on security and aims to revise Japan's pacifist constitution, visiting the controversial Yasukuni shrine where Japan's war dead, including convicted war criminals, are commemorated.

While she is expected to be confirmed by parliament, there are no guarantees as the ruling party now holds a weaker position.