Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Female Prime Minister

Key Facts

Published: October 22, 2025 Location: Tokyo Source: Wire Services

• Japan’s parliament elected Sanae Takaichi as the nation’s first female prime minister, a milestone moment in Japanese political history.
• The 64-year-old conservative leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) won a majority after forming a coalition deal with the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin).
• Takaichi vowed to strengthen Japan’s economy, expand defense spending, tighten immigration controls, and deepen ties with the United States.
• Despite the historic gender milestone, critics doubt significant progress on women’s rights or social reform due to her nationalist and conservative positions.

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

TOKYO (Worthy News) – Japan on Tuesday elected Sanae Takaichi as its first female prime minister, marking a historic political shift in the world’s third-largest economy.

The 64-year-old conservative leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secured a parliamentary majority after striking a fragile deal with the opposition Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), according to official results.

Takaichi succeeded Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned after just over a year in office, ending weeks of political uncertainty in Tokyo.

Born in Nara, western Japan, Takaichi has long been known for her nationalist views and admiration of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher.

ECONOMY, DEFENSE, AND MIGRATION

Her priorities, she said, will be to “make the Japanese economy stronger and remake Japan into a country capable of fulfilling its responsibilities to future generations.”

Takaichi has pledged to tackle rising prices, raise Japan’s defense budget, tighten immigration policies, and pursue diplomacy centered on closer ties with the United States.

While her election represents a breakthrough for women in Japanese politics, critical analysts note that her socially conservative record makes major progress on gender equality or civil rights reforms unlikely.

Her government’s stability remains uncertain amid economic challenges, demographic decline, and pressure to balance fiscal restraint with defense spending.

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