After a fortnight of uncertainty, Japan has elected its first female leader in 800 years, the conservative Sanae Takaichi of the country’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
Japan’s reigning Emperor Naruhito officially appointed Takaichi to her position on Tuesday, Oct. 21, finalizing a process that began earlier in the month with Takaichi’s election as LDP president to replace outgoing prime minister Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned in September after a year in office.
“I am determined to deliver results for the nation, to build a strong Japan and to never give up,” Takaichi said at an initial press conference.
Takaichi had on Oct. 4 defeated Shinjiro Koizumi, another LDP heavyweight, to become the party’s president. Koizumi will serve in her cabinet as defense minister.
While becoming LDP president has traditionally meant also being elected prime minister, the ruling party’s waning political fortunes in recent years have compelled it to maintain its leadership by cooperating with minority parties in the Japanese parliament, called the National Diet.
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Takaichi’s right-wing political stance, chiefly her advocacy of Japanese nationalism and skeptical view on foreign immigration, had led to the breakdown of a decades-long coalition between the LDP and the Komeito, which champions more liberal positions.
However, the LDP was able to negotiate a coalition with the libertarian Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), the support of which led to Takaichi’s election by the Diet on Oct. 21 with 237 votes, four over the 233 required to win.
Rightward shift
Takacihi’s victory marks a pivotal shift in a country where men hold overwhelming sway. The last woman to lead Japan was Hojo Masako (1157–1225), a noble who exercised de facto power as the mother or grandmother of multiple shoguns — the military leaders of feudal Japan.
An acolyte of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and an admirer of Britain’s Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi is expected to return to Abe-style government stimulus as she attempts to jumpstart an economy struggling with slow growth and rising prices.
Abe had served a decade as prime minister, and continued to wield significant influence in the LDP until his assassination in 2022.
The Nikkei 225, Japan’s main stock index, continued to climb following Takaichi’s election, as it did after she secured her position as LDP president.
The new prime minister is likely to make a sharp turn to the right on immigration and defense, reflecting the broader rightward shift in global politics. In her first press conference, Takaichi promised to work tirelessly to restore Japan’s economic might, and deepen the relationship with the United States under President Donald Trump.
Takaichi named two women to her cabinet: Fellow Abe disciple Satsuki Katayama becomes the country’s first female finance minister, while Kimi Onoda becomes economic security minister.
Onoda, who is of American origin, played a major role in Takaichi’s election campaign and is expected to help carry out her pledge to maintain and strengthen Japan’s strict immigration policies.
Trump is scheduled to visit Japan from Oct. 27 to Oct. 29 as part of his broader Asia trip, the Japanese government announced on Oct. 22.
Takaichi said that she hopes to “elevate the Japan-U.S. relationship to new heights” by meeting with Trump at an “early date.”
Chief cabinet secretary Minoru Kihara also welcomed the American leader, saying that it would be an opportunity to bolster the U.S.-Japan alliance.
Reuters contributed to this report.
