Sanae Takaichi becomes Japan’s first female Prime Minister

Oct 21, 2025
International

Photo: Lawmakers applaud Sanae Takaichi after her election as Japan’s new Prime Minister during a special parliamentary session in Tokyo on October 21, 2025. (Collected | Al Jazeera | Eugene Hoshiko/AP)

International Desk | PNN:

For the first time in its history, Japan has a female Prime Minister. On Tuesday (October 21), the country’s parliament elected ultra-conservative politician Sanae Takaichi as Prime Minister. She is known as a close associate and political protégé of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

In the 465-member lower house, Takaichi secured 237 votes, officially making her Japan’s 104th Prime Minister.

Takaichi’s victory came after a last-minute coalition agreement on Monday between the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the right-leaning Japan Innovation Party (JIP). However, their coalition government still falls short of a two-seat majority in parliament, leaving some risk of political instability.

She replaces former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned after three months of political deadlock. Following the LDP’s major defeat in the July elections, forming a government had been complicated.

While Takaichi’s leadership marks a historic turning point in Japanese politics, analysts warn that it could push the country further right on social policies and immigration issues. She has long opposed policies promoting women’s advancement or equality, as well as same-sex marriage, separate spousal titles, and the inclusion of female heirs in the imperial succession.

Earlier, the LDP’s longtime coalition partner, the Komeito Party, had left the coalition due to disagreements with the LDP on anti-corruption measures. Komeito is generally known for its centrist and pacifist stance.

Speaking at the signing of the agreement with JIP, Takaichi said,

"Political stability is extremely urgent for Japan at this moment. Without stability, neither a strong economy nor effective diplomacy is possible."

JIP leader and Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura stated that his party will not take any cabinet posts for the time being, until they are confident in their relationship with the LDP.

Economically, Takaichi’s policy approach has been dubbed the “Takaichi Trade.” The Nikkei stock index in Tokyo reached a record high on Tuesday following promises of increased government spending, although investors remain concerned about the country’s large debt burden.

Following the lower house vote, the upper house also approved Takaichi’s appointment as Prime Minister. She was sworn in Tuesday evening.

Next week, Takaichi is scheduled to deliver her first policy speech and will meet with regional leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump.

This marks undoubtedly a historic chapter in Japanese politics, but it also opens a new era of uncertainty and debate.