Sanae Takaichi’s rise: First female PM to take oath, what it means for Japan

Takaichi poised for historic premiership

Sanae Takaichi is poised to make history as Japan’s first female prime minister after her ruling party secured a key coalition partner.

Takaichi, 64, is scheduled to replace Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tuesday’s parliamentary vote. Her election would end a three-month political vacuum following the coalition’s defeat in July’s parliamentary election.

Coalition shake-up paves way for leadership

The centrist Komeito party ended its 26-year-long coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) just days after Takaichi became party leader. Citing concerns over her ultraconservative policies and the LDP’s handling of corruption scandals, Komeito’s exit forced Takaichi to find a new partner to secure enough votes.

Unable to unite opposition forces, Takaichi quickly turned to the conservative Osaka-based Japan Innovation Party (Ishin no Kai). On Monday, the two parties signed a coalition agreement outlining joint policy goals on diplomacy, security, and energy.

Despite the agreement, the new coalition remains a minority, requiring support from other parties to pass legislation.

Historic, but controversial among women

An admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi’s rise breaks Japan’s political glass ceiling, a country with one of the lowest gender equality rankings globally.

Yet many women see her premiership as a setback. Sociologist Chizuko Ueno posted on X, “The prospect of a first female prime minister doesn’t make me happy…that doesn’t mean Japanese politics becomes kinder to women.”

Takaichi, an ultraconservative star of her male-dominated party, opposes same-sex marriage and male-only succession remains a priority. She also resists reforms allowing married couples to retain separate last names. Political commentator Chiyako Sato told the Mainichi newspaper, “Ms. Takaichi’s policies are extremely hawkish and I doubt she would consider policies to recognize diversity.”

Economic and diplomatic challenges await

If elected, Takaichi will immediately form her Cabinet and deliver a policy speech. A protégé of the late Shinzo Abe, she is expected to follow his economic and security strategies.

She faces immediate diplomatic tests, including meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump and regional summits. She must also navigate domestic concerns such as rising prices, economic stimulus, and Japan’s demographic decline.

Security and military agenda

Takaichi supports strengthening Japan’s military, aiming to double the defense budget to 2% of GDP by 2027. She will need to address U.S. expectations for higher military spending and weapons procurement while balancing regional sensitivities with China and South Korea.

She has also focused on short-term domestic policies, such as salary increases and measures against a growing foreign population, but has yet to address long-term demographic challenges.

Pushing the party further right

Takaichi’s coalition with the Japan Innovation Party reflects her strategy to attract conservative votes. She has also reached out to smaller right-wing groups, including the far-right Sanseito, to strengthen her parliamentary position.

Masato Kamikubo, political science professor at Ritsumeikan University, said, “There is no room for Takaichi to show her true colors. All she can do is cooperate per policy…It’s a pathetic situation.”

Early signs of political instability

Observers warn that Takaichi’s government may be short-lived, with an early election possible later this year. Experts also question how she will reconcile her fiscal expansionist approach with Ishin’s fiscal conservatism.

Chiyako Sato noted, “The era of LDP domination is over…We need to find a Japanese way of forming a coalition and a stable government.”

(With inputs from AP)