Sanae Takaichi becomes First woman PM of Japan

Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan's First Woman Prime Minister

In a landmark moment for Japanese politics, Sanae Takaichi was elected as Japan's first female prime minister on October 21, 2025, during a parliamentary vote in Tokyo. The 64-year-old conservative leader secured 237 votes in the 465-seat Lower House, clinching a majority without needing a runoff. Her victory shatters decades of male-dominated leadership, marking a historic shift in the world's fourth-largest economy.

From Humble Beginnings to Political Powerhouse

Born on March 7, 1961, in Nara Prefecture, Takaichi grew up in modest circumstances—her father worked at a car parts company, and her mother was a police officer. Far from the elite political dynasties common in Japan, she commuted long hours to university and pursued passions like heavy metal drumming, scuba diving, and riding Kawasaki motorcycles. After a brief stint as a TV host, she entered politics in 1993, winning a seat in the House of Representatives. A protégé of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, she rose through key roles, including Minister of Internal Affairs, Economic Security, and Gender Equality, earning the nickname "Iron Lady" for her admiration of Margaret Thatcher.

A Turbulent Path to Leadership

Takaichi's ascent was not without hurdles. She ran for Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president in 2021, losing to Fumio Kishida, and again in 2024, where she led the first round but fell to Shigeru Ishiba. Her third bid in 2025 succeeded, defeating Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff. Ishiba's resignation after electoral losses left the LDP without a parliamentary majority, prompting Komeito—its coalition partner of 26 years—to exit the alliance. In a dramatic turnaround, Takaichi forged a last-minute deal with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party (Ishin) on October 20, securing the support needed for her premiership.

Key Policies: Abenomics, Security, and Conservatism

As a staunch conservative and Abe successor, Takaichi champions "Sanaenomics"—an extension of Abenomics featuring loose monetary policy, flexible fiscal spending, and bold investments in growth areas like AI, cybersecurity, and nuclear fusion. She advocates corporate tax hikes to fund these initiatives amid rising inflation and slow growth. On security, she pushes to revise Article 9 of Japan's pacifist constitution, bolster the U.S.-Japan alliance, and adopt a hawkish stance toward China while supporting Taiwan. Domestically, she opposes same-sex marriage and female emperors, favoring stricter immigration controls and traditional imperial succession, though she pledges more women in her cabinet to address Japan's gender gap.

Challenges Ahead for the New PM

Leading a minority government with Ishin (totaling 231 Lower House seats, two shy of a majority), Takaichi must navigate opposition support for legislation, including a supplementary budget. Economic woes like inflation and stagnant wages loom large, alongside geopolitical tensions in the Asia-Pacific. Her ultraconservative views may strain relations with neighbors and spark domestic debates on gender and history. Yet, her election has boosted markets, with the Nikkei surging past 47,000, signaling optimism for stability. As she forms her cabinet, including Satsuki Katayama as Japan's first female finance minister, Takaichi vows to prioritize national interest and economic revival.

A New Era for Japan?

Takaichi's rise symbolizes progress in gender representation—women hold just 10% of ministerial posts and 16% of Lower House seats—but critics question if her conservatism will advance equality.

Facing a potential U.S. visit by President Donald Trump and global uncertainties, her "Iron Lady" resolve will be tested. For now, Japan steps into uncharted territory with its first woman at the helm, promising a blend of tradition and transformation.