Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party elected Takaichi Sanae as its new president, paving the way for her to become the nation’s first female prime minister.
Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has elected Takaichi Sanae as its new president, marking the first time in history a woman has led the party. The 64-year-old conservative politician is now poised to become Japan’s first female prime minister in a parliamentary vote expected in mid-October.
The decision followed the resignation of outgoing Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru. After a first round in which no candidate reached a majority, Takaichi defeated her main rival, Koizumi Shinjirō, by 185 votes to 156 in the runoff.
Born in Nara Prefecture, Takaichi stands out from Japan’s traditional political elite. She comes from a working-class family, played drums in a heavy metal band during college, and began her career as a political commentator for TV Asahi before entering politics.
Her first successful run for office came in 1993, when she won a seat in the Diet representing Nara.
She later joined the LDP, becoming an ally of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzō, who played a key role in her political rise. Under Abe’s first administration, she served as Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs in 2006.
Over the years, she became the first woman to head the LDP’s Policy Research Council and later served as Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications.
However, her tenure was not without controversy — in 2016 she drew criticism for suggesting that the government could suspend TV broadcasts deemed politically biased.
Politically, Takaichi identifies as a hardline conservative, defending the traditional male-only imperial succession and praising former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Her economic stance aligns with “Abenomics,” focusing on bold monetary easing and public investment.
Her election could strain the coalition between the LDP and its centrist partner, Kōmeitō, whose leader warned that excessive conservatism could jeopardize cooperation. Nevertheless, Takaichi has vowed to balance tradition and progress while promoting national unity.
As the new president, she faces the challenge of rejuvenating a party that has lost touch with younger voters and navigating Japan’s complex relations with China and North Korea. Economically, she has pledged to safeguard Japan’s technological sovereignty and strengthen alliances with the United States and Europe.
Known for her candor, Takaichi has often shared personal details online, from her cosmetic surgery to her remarriage to fellow politician Yamamoto Taku. Her openness and nationalism have earned her both admiration and criticism.
After her victory, she addressed LDP members with a resolute tone: “Today, we open a new era for the Liberal Democratic Party. From now on, I will abandon the phrase ‘work-life balance.’
I am ready to dedicate myself fully to serving Japan.” If confirmed as the next prime minister, Takaichi Sanae will not only make history as the country’s first woman in the role, but also as a symbol of how tradition and change can coexist in the heart of Japanese politics.
