Sanae Takaichi has been elected as the new leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on October 4, 2025, positioning her to become the country’s first female prime minister. In a runoff vote, Takaichi secured 185 votes, defeating Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, who garnered 156 votes. This victory marks a significant milestone in Japan’s political history, as Takaichi becomes the first woman to lead the LDP.
Takaichi, 64, is a former Economic Security Minister and a staunch conservative with strong nationalist views. She is known for her admiration of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and has been a vocal critic of China. Her policy proposals include revisiting trade agreements with the United States and strengthening Japan’s military alliances, particularly with Taiwan. These positions are likely to heighten tensions with neighboring countries.
Despite her conservative stance, Takaichi has pledged to increase female representation in government. However, she opposes reforms such as allowing female emperors and permitting married couples to use separate surnames, reflecting her traditional views on gender roles.
The LDP remains the largest party in Japan’s lower house of parliament, virtually ensuring Takaichi’s confirmation as prime minister in the upcoming parliamentary vote scheduled for October 15. Her leadership comes at a time when the party is seeking to regain public trust following recent election setbacks and internal scandals. Takaichi faces the challenge of uniting a divided party and addressing pressing issues such as economic reform, national security, and demographic challenges.
Takaichi’s election is seen as a historic moment for Japan, a country that has long been criticized for its gender inequality in politics. Her ascent to the leadership of the LDP represents a significant step toward breaking the gender barrier in Japan’s political landscape.
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