At 64, Sanae Takaichi is about to become Japan’s first female Prime Minister. Elected to lead the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a nationalist right-wing party, she takes over from Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned after a series of election defeats. An admirer of Margaret Thatcher and a controversial figure in Japan’s conservative right, Takaichi has promised to “turn people’s worries into hope” while taking a firm political stance.
A historic first in a man’s world
Elected on Saturday, October 4, 2025, as head of the LDP, Sanae Takaichi is making history in a country where women are still largely underrepresented in politics. A former Minister of the Economy, she’s the first woman to lead Japan’s dominant party since it was founded in 1955, and she’s expected to be appointed Prime Minister in mid-October after a parliamentary vote.
Her victory comes at a difficult time for the LDP, which recently lost its absolute majority in the upper house elections. “I’ve been hearing harsh criticism from all over the country saying people no longer know what the LDP stands for. That sense of urgency has driven me. I want to turn our citizens’ worries about their daily lives and future into hope,” she said between the two rounds of voting.
For the first time in Japan’s history, a woman is about to take the country’s top political job — a major symbolic step in a democracy that remains deeply patriarchal.
A nationalist close to Shinzo Abe
A loyal ally of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Sanae Takaichi represents the nationalist wing of the LDP. An admirer of Margaret Thatcher, she supports a tougher line on defense and security. She wants to revise Article 9 of Japan’s Constitution, which enshrines the country’s pacifism, and has repeatedly visited the Yasukuni Shrine, where war criminals are honored. “For Japan, and to rebuild the Party, we’ll have to work tirelessly. We need to come up with new policies quickly,” she said after her win. The self-described “hawk” says she’s ready to strengthen national defense and take a firmer stance toward China.
On the economic side, she plans to continue the spirit of “Abenomics,” the stimulus policies started by Abe, and has criticized the Bank of Japan’s recent interest rate hikes. She’s also opposed to increasing immigration and has even mentioned renegotiating some trade deals with the United States.
A symbolic step for women, but no social revolution
Sanae Takaichi’s rise to power marks a historic moment for Japanese women. But for many, it’s more symbolic than revolutionary. She’s often opposed progressive social reforms, including allowing married couples to keep separate surnames or permitting women to inherit the Imperial throne.
Still, she’s promised to appoint more women to leadership positions. In a country where women hold only a small share of seats in Parliament, her rise could inspire a new generation to enter politics.
Next comes the parliamentary vote to confirm her as Prime Minister, followed by the formation of her cabinet. A new chapter is opening in Japan — that of a strong, conservative, and determined woman leading a country still searching for equality.