Sanae Takaichi to Become Japan's 1st Female PM

Former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi has been elected as the new leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), paving the way for her to become the country’s first-ever female prime minister.

In the second round of voting on Friday, Takaichi secured 185 out of 341 ballots, defeating her rival Shinjirō Koizumi, the son of former Prime Minister Junichirō Koizumi, who received 156 votes.

Takaichi’s victory was backed by a broad coalition of party members, including representatives from all 47 prefectures of Japan as well as current lawmakers. 

With Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expected to resign in the coming days, she is widely anticipated to assume the premiership.

Although Japan’s opposition parties hold a parliamentary majority, their deep ideological divisions make it unlikely they will unite behind a single candidate, clearing the path for Takaichi to take office.

At 64 years old, Takaichi is known as a close ally of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. She is considered a staunch conservative and a strong advocate for bolstering Japan’s defense capabilities. 

Many analysts had tipped her to win the 2024 LDP leadership race, but she narrowly lost at the time to Ishiba, who subsequently became prime minister.

Takaichi has also faced international scrutiny. 

In May 2022, Russia imposed sanctions on her in retaliation for Tokyo’s policies, adding her name to its blacklist while she was serving as chair of the LDP’s Policy Research Council.

If confirmed, Takaichi will make history as Japan’s first female prime minister, breaking a political barrier in a country where top leadership roles have traditionally been dominated by men.