Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Female Prime Minister
Lawmakers in Japan elected hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi as prime minister on Tuesday, making her the first woman in modern times to lead the key U.S. ally.
Takaichi, 64, who leads the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), won a lower house vote 237-149 over liberal opposition leader Yoshihiko Noda. She also secured the upper house with a 125-46 vote after initially falling one vote short of a majority.
Her election marks a milestone in a country where women remain severely underrepresented in politics. However, Takaichi takes office with a fragile coalition and faces multiple challenges, including an upcoming visit by President Donald Trump next week.
A protégé of assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi advocates for a stronger military, stricter immigration policies, and a revision of Japan’s pacifist constitution. She has previously served as minister of economic security, internal affairs, and gender equality.
Earlier this month, Takaichi was elected LDP leader after unsuccessful bids in 2021 and 2024. In her victory speech, she emphasised her work ethic, saying, “I myself will throw out the term ‘work-life balance.’ I will work and work and work and work and work.”
Her premiership was briefly in doubt after centrist party Komeito left the LDP coalition. To secure her position, the LDP signed an alliance with the Osaka-based Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), moving the coalition further to the right.
Despite the alliance, Takaichi faces an uphill battle in parliament, where the LDP lacks a majority in both houses following recent election losses linked to corruption scandals and rising living costs. Experts warn her tenure could be short-lived, similar to her predecessor Shigeru Ishiba, who served just a year.
“She emerges from this a diminished leader from the get-go,” said Jeff Kingston, professor of Asian studies at Temple University’s Japan campus.
Takaichi also faces an early diplomatic test with Trump’s Asia trip, which includes Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea’s Asia-Pacific summit. “She doesn’t have a whole lot of time to get ready for a slew of diplomatic activity,” Kingston said. “But I think job one is the Japanese economy.”
NBC
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