Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Woman Prime Minister After Party Shake-Up

Tokyo: Japan’s parliament has elected Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first woman prime minister, marking a significant political shift following months of uncertainty after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) defeat in July’s elections.
Takaichi, an ultraconservative leader from the LDP, secured 237 votes in the lower house—just four more than the required majority—defeating Yoshiko Noda of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, who received 149 votes. Her victory follows the resignation of Shigeru Ishiba, who stepped down along with his Cabinet earlier in the day after serving only a year in office.
The LDP regained control through a new alliance with the Osaka-based Japan Innovation Party (Ishin no Kai), known for its right-wing stance. The coalition ensures Takaichi’s leadership but lacks a majority in both houses, forcing the new government to seek support from other opposition groups to pass key bills.
“Political stability is essential right now. Without stability, we cannot move forward with economic or diplomatic policies,” Takaichi said during the signing of the coalition agreement with JIP leader and Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura. The deal reflects the new government’s nationalist and hawkish approach.
The LDP had earlier lost its long-time ally, Komeito, a Buddhist-backed centrist party, which withdrew from the coalition over corruption scandals and policy differences. Komeito also raised concerns about Takaichi’s revisionist views on Japan’s wartime history and her visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which have drawn protests from China and South Korea.

At 64, Takaichi is a close ally of late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and is expected to continue his conservative agenda—strengthening Japan’s military, promoting economic reforms, and seeking constitutional revisions. However, her ability to deliver on these promises remains uncertain given her fragile political base.
Despite being Japan’s first woman prime minister, Takaichi has shown little interest in advancing gender equality. She supports the male-only imperial succession and opposes same-sex marriage and allowing married couples to retain separate surnames.
A long-time admirer of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi began her political career in 1993 and has served in several key posts, including as Minister for Economic Security and Minister of Internal Affairs. However, she has limited experience in foreign affairs.
The Japan Innovation Party will not hold Cabinet positions immediately, with Yoshimura saying the party wants to assess the stability of the coalition first. Meanwhile, Takaichi faces pressing challenges, including rising inflation, economic recovery, and upcoming talks with US President Donald Trump and other global leaders.