Takaichi was elected leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Saturday, following the resignation of former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba last month.
Although the LDP no longer holds a clear majority in parliament, Takaichi is expected to gain enough support from lawmakers to formally take office later this month. Her leadership marks a historic moment for Japan, a nation that has never before seen a woman in its top political post.
Sanae Takaichi, born on March 7, 1961, in Nara Prefecture, Japan, is a seasoned politician affiliated with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Educated at Kobe University, she began her career as a journalist and legislative aide before entering politics.
Since 1993, she has represented Nara in the House of Representatives, securing ten terms. She has served in key party and government posts, including minister of economic security, internal affairs and gender equality.
Takaichi inherits a struggling government weakened by scandals, internal divisions, and a slowing economy. Japanese households are battling rising prices and stagnant wages, while confidence in the ruling party has fallen after recent election defeats.
Takaichi, a close ally and protégé of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has pledged to revive his economic policies — famously known as “Abenomics” — which focused on high government spending and low interest rates to boost growth. She believes bold borrowing and investment are necessary to strengthen Japan’s economy.
Her conservative stance, however, has divided public opinion, especially among women voters. Takaichi has opposed laws allowing women to keep their maiden names after marriage, calling the practice “against Japanese tradition.”
She also rejects same-sex marriage and has often spoken in favour of traditional family values.
Takaichi supports revising Japan’s pacifist constitution to give the country a stronger military role. She is also a frequent visitor to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which honours Japan’s war dead, including convicted war criminals, a move that often draws criticism from neighbouring nations.
As Japan prepares for this historic transition, Takaichi’s leadership will be closely watched both at home and abroad. Whether she becomes Japan’s “Iron Lady” or faces the same political turbulence as her predecessors will depend on how she balances tradition, reform, and global diplomacy in the months ahead.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned in September
Ishiba became Japan’s PM in September 2024. He was considered an “outsider” in the party, without a political patron. He promised to tackle inflation and economic challenges, but his tenure proved difficult.
· Election Setbacks: In the October 2024 lower house elections, the LDP-Komeito coalition lost its majority. The party suffered another defeat in the upper house elections in July 2025. For the first time since 1955, the LDP lost its majority in both houses.
Party Pressure: Following the defeats, party insiders pressured Ishiba to resign, accusing him of being “too liberal” while the party wanted a conservative leader. On 7 September 2025, Ishiba stepped down, saying he did not want to create divisions in the party and wanted to give the new generation a chance.
The ruling party
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has faced a turbulent period marked by scandals, voter apathy, and record-low approval ratings. In 2024, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called a snap election, hoping for a quick public mandate, but the gamble backfired, delivering the party its worst result in a decade.
For the first time since 2009, the LDP lost its parliamentary majority, followed by upper house losses. Facing internal pressure, Ishiba resigned in September, paving the way for the current leadership vote.
After losing its parliamentary majority following election setbacks and corruption scandals. The leadership vote will not only decide the next prime minister but also determine how the party recovers and reconnects with voters.
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