Japan ushered in its first woman prime minister on Tuesday as Sanae Takaichi, a staunch China hawk and social conservative, clinched an 11th-hour coalition agreement to secure her position.
Appointed by Parliament after unexpectedly clinching a majority in the first round of voting, the 64-year-old admirer of Margaret Thatcher will lead a minority government. She is set to formally assume office following a meeting with the emperor later in the day. As Japan’s fifth premier in five years, Takaichi inherits a packed agenda, including a high-stakes visit from US President Donald Trump next week.
From Drummer to Party Leader
Takaichi’s rapid ascent began on October 4, when she was elected head of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has dominated Japanese politics for nearly uninterrupted decades but is grappling with waning public support. Just six days later, her conservative stance and an ongoing LDP slush fund scandal prompted the junior coalition partner, Komeito, to withdraw from the alliance.
In a swift pivot, Takaichi forged a new pact with the reformist, right-leaning Japan Innovation Party (JIP) on Monday evening. The JIP pushes for bold reforms, including slashing the consumption tax on food to zero, banning corporate and organisational donations to politics, and trimming the number of Members of Parliament.
On Monday, Takaichi vowed to “make Japan’s economy stronger and reshape Japan as a country that can be responsible for future generations.”
In her hometown of Nara, reactions were cautiously optimistic. “She’s a strong-minded person, regardless of being a woman,” said 76-year-old pensioner Toru Takahashi. “She’s not like Trump. But she’s clear about what’s right and wrong.”
Gender Equality on the Agenda?
Takaichi has pledged a cabinet boasting “Nordic” levels of female representation – a sharp jump from the two women in outgoing premier Shigeru Ishiba’s lineup. Local media speculate that right-wing figure Satsuki Katayama could helm finances, while half-American lawmaker Kimi Onoda might take the economic security portfolio.
Yet Japan lags globally on gender parity, ranking 118th out of 148 countries in the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Global Gender Gap Report. Women hold just 15 percent of seats in the lower house, and corporate boardrooms remain a male bastion.
Takaichi herself has been vocal on women’s issues, aiming to spotlight health challenges like menopause, drawing from her personal experiences. Still, her traditional views persist: she opposes amending a 19th-century law mandating married couples share a single surname and supports male-only succession in the imperial family.
Local women in Nara voiced hopes for change. “I hope she makes Japan a more liveable place for women,” said 39-year-old company worker Keiko Yoshida. Student Nina Terao, 18, echoed the sentiment: “I’d be happy if we saw more policies from a woman’s perspective: support for childcare, and help for women returning to work after having children.”
Navigating Domestic and Global Pressures
Takaichi’s minority coalition in both parliamentary houses means she’ll need to court support from opposition parties to pass legislation. Her challenges are formidable: stemming Japan’s population decline, revitalising a stagnant economy, and rebuilding the LDP’s tarnished image after a string of electoral setbacks that ousted Ishiba.
On the economic front, she has historically championed aggressive monetary easing and boosted government spending – hallmarks of her mentor, former premier Shinzo Abe’s “Abenomics.” Though she dialled back such rhetoric during the LDP leadership race, her win has propelled Japanese stocks to record highs.
Geopolitically, unresolved trade frictions with Washington loom large, with Trump demanding Japan halt Russian energy imports and ramp up defence spending. “I’d like her to be a Prime Minister who can clearly say ‘No’ when needed,” remarked 73-year-old Nara pensioner Satoshi Sakamoto.
Takaichi’s tough line on China – once declaring that “Japan is completely looked down on by China” and urging action against Beijing’s “security threat” – has softened of late. She skipped a recent Yasukuni shrine festival, a site honouring Japan’s war dead where she was once a frequent visitor.
Mixed Sentiments Amid Economic Woes
As smaller parties like the anti-immigration populist Sanseito gain traction, public frustration simmers over rising costs. “Prices have gone up, and it’s tough,” confided 77-year-old Nara pensioner Satoe Tominaga, who shops mostly at budget 100-yen ($0.66) stores. She rated her support for Takaichi as “50-50.”
With these headwinds, Takaichi’s tenure promises to be a test of resilience for Japan’s new leader.
