Sanae Takaichi Set to Become Japan’s First Female Prime Minister
Tokyo: Former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, 64, has been elected as the new leader of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), positioning her to become the country’s first female prime minister.
A staunch conservative and close ally of the late Shinzo Abe, Takaichi faces immediate challenges in restoring public trust, tackling rising inflation, and managing diplomatic relations—particularly with U.S. President Donald Trump, whom she is expected to meet later this month.
Takaichi’s ultra-conservative stance—including her visits to the Yasukuni Shrine and revisionist wartime views—has strained ties with coalition partner Komeito, which has threatened to quit their 26-year alliance unless she moderates her positions.
Despite recent election losses, the LDP remains Japan’s largest parliamentary party, making Takaichi’s appointment as prime minister likely when parliament convenes in mid-October.
In her first remarks as LDP leader, Takaichi pledged to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and deepen security cooperation with South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines.
Her early appointments signal the influence of former Prime Minister Taro Aso, who backed her leadership bid. However, criticism has emerged over plans to promote lawmakers linked to past scandals, drawing condemnation from opposition leader Yoshihiko Noda, who called the move “totally unthinkable.”
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