Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Female Prime Minister, Pledges to Revive Economy and Gender Equality

In a historic political shift, Japan has appointed Sanae Takaichi as its first-ever female prime minister, breaking nearly eight decades of male-dominated leadership in the world’s third-largest economy.

Takaichi, 64, a conservative figure known for her firm stance on national security and outspoken criticism of China, was officially confirmed on Tuesday after securing a narrow majority in the lower house and winning a tense runoff in the upper chamber. She succeeds amid political unrest and faces a daunting list of challenges—from economic stagnation and population decline to fragile international relations—just ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s state visit next week.

A former heavy metal drummer turned political powerhouse, Takaichi rose to the top after being elected head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on October 4, 2025. The LDP, which has ruled Japan for most of the past seven decades, has been grappling with corruption scandals and plummeting approval ratings.

Her path to power came through a last-minute coalition deal with the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), a reformist right-wing bloc. The agreement was finalized late Monday after the LDP’s longtime ally, the Komeito Party, pulled out of the coalition, citing ethical differences and discomfort with Takaichi’s conservative ideology.

“We will make Japan’s economy stronger and reshape Japan as a country that can be responsible for future generations,”
Takaichi vowed at the coalition signing ceremony.

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Takaichi’s Leadership Marks a New Era for Japan

Known for her admiration of former British leader Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi announced plans to form a cabinet featuring “Nordic-level female representation,” aiming for gender balance unseen in Japan’s political landscape.

Currently, women hold only 15 percent of seats in Japan’s lower house, ranking the nation 118th out of 148 countries in the 2025 World Economic Forum Gender Gap Report. Her promise could mark a transformative moment for Japanese politics.

Speculation within Japanese media suggests that Satsuki Katayama, a right-wing veteran lawmaker, may head the Finance Ministry, while Kimi Onoda, of Japanese-American heritage, could take charge as Economic Security Minister.

Despite these progressive signals, Takaichi remains firmly traditional on some social issues—opposing changes to the law requiring married couples to share the same surname and supporting male-only imperial succession.

“She’s a strong-minded person, regardless of being a woman,” said 76-year-old Nara resident Toru Takahashi. “She’s not like Trump. But she’s clear about what’s right and wrong.”

Economic Reforms and Foreign Policy Balancing Act

Japan’s economy remains under immense pressure, with inflation climbing and public debt hitting record levels. The JIP, her new coalition partner, has proposed bold reforms—cutting the consumption tax on food to zero, banning corporate donations, and reducing the number of lawmakers.

Meanwhile, Takaichi faces mounting diplomatic challenges. The United States is pressing Japan to finalize a $500 billion trade and investment deal, curb Russian energy imports, and increase defense spending.

Once a vocal critic of Beijing, Takaichi has recently softened her rhetoric, even avoiding a visit to the Yasukuni Shrine—a controversial symbol of wartime nationalism—to prevent diplomatic friction. However, she continues to advocate for stronger security cooperation with Taiwan and warns against “security threats from Beijing.”

As she begins her tenure, Takaichi must rebuild public trust in the LDP, which suffered heavy electoral losses under former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

While many citizens have celebrated this historic milestone for gender equality, others remain cautiously optimistic, waiting to see whether Japan’s new leader can truly deliver the sweeping reforms she has promised.