Japan's parliament has elected Sanae Takaichi, a conservative politician and admirer of Margaret Thatcher, as the country's first female prime minister. The 64-year-old, who has served in Shinzo Abe's administration, takes office amid a rightward shift in politics and economic challenges. Her Liberal Democratic Party formed a coalition with the Japan Innovation Party to secure the position.
Sanae Takaichi was elected by Japan's parliament on Tuesday and sworn in as the nation's 104th prime minister that evening, succeeding Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned last month over election losses. This historic appointment marks the first time a woman has led Japan, a country ranking 118th out of 148 in the World Economic Forum's 2025 Global Gender Gap Report for gender equality.
Takaichi, an ultraconservative in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has advocated for Abe-style fiscal stimulus to address slow growth and rising prices, prompting a 'Takaichi trade' that drove the Nikkei to record highs on Tuesday. However, concerns over Japan's debt exceeding annual output have weakened the yen and bond prices. She has promised to prioritize defense and national security, including revising the postwar pacifist constitution, and named Shinjiro Koizumi as defense minister and Toshimitsu Motegi as foreign minister.
Her LDP, which has dominated postwar politics, allied with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party (Ishin) on Monday after losing its moderate coalition partner Komeito this month. The coalition holds two seats short of a majority in the lower house, requiring cooperation with opposition lawmakers for stability, according to politics professor Tadashi Mori.
On social issues, Takaichi holds traditional views, opposing same-sex marriage and supporting male-only imperial succession. She frequently visits Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, controversial for honoring war criminals, though she abstained from a recent festival visit, sending an offering instead. Despite campaigning for 'Nordic levels' of women in cabinet—around 36% to 61%—she appointed only two female ministers: Satsuki Katayama as the first female finance minister and Kimi Onoda as economic security minister, comprising 16% of the cabinet.
In her first press conference, Takaichi said, 'I am determined to deliver results for the nation, to build a strong Japan and to never give up.' She also plans an early meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to strengthen ties, echoing Abe's approach. Sanseito Party chief Sohei Kamiya noted a potential reversal of leftward drifts since Abe's 2022 assassination, adding, 'While we won’t hesitate to oppose her when necessary, we intend to maintain a friendly working relationship.'