On a historic Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan’s parliament shattered a glass ceiling that had long seemed impenetrable, electing Sanae Takaichi as the nation’s first female prime minister. The 64-year-old ultraconservative, a longtime fixture in Japanese politics and a self-described admirer of Margaret Thatcher, now finds herself at the helm of the world’s fourth-largest economy. But if there was any sense of celebration in the air, it was quickly tempered by the daunting challenges and political turbulence awaiting her.
Takaichi’s victory came after months of political wrangling and a three-month vacuum following the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) devastating election loss in July. According to the Associated Press, she secured 237 votes—just four more than a simple majority—in the powerful lower house, defeating opposition leader Yoshikoko Noda, who garnered 149 votes. The upper house swiftly followed suit, confirming her as Japan’s 104th prime minister by the evening of October 21, 2025.
Her ascent marks a pivotal moment in Japanese history, as noted by BBC’s Ayeshea Perera, who described the day as “historic.” Yet, for all its symbolic weight, Takaichi’s victory is layered with complexity and contradiction. Critics and supporters alike are quick to point out that her leadership is unlikely to usher in a new era of gender equality or progressive reform. In fact, her coalition’s rightward shift, cemented by a last-minute alliance with the Osaka-based Japan Innovation Party (JIP), signals a likely tilt toward more hawkish and nationalistic policies.
“Political stability is essential right now,” Takaichi declared at the coalition signing ceremony with JIP leader and Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura, as reported by Reuters. “Without stability, we cannot push measures for a strong economy or diplomacy.” The new coalition, however, is still two seats shy of a majority in both houses, leaving Takaichi’s government vulnerable and her legislative agenda at risk. JIP, for its part, is holding off on accepting ministerial posts until it gains confidence in the partnership—a sign of the fragile trust underpinning the alliance.
The coalition agreement underscores Takaichi’s hawkish and nationalistic outlook, echoing the policies of her mentor, the late Shinzo Abe. She has pledged to strengthen Japan’s military, revise the country’s pacifist constitution, and pursue tougher immigration controls. Takaichi’s economic vision is similarly bold: she supports aggressive government spending to revive an economy battered by years of deflation and, more recently, inflation. The so-called “Takaichi trade” has already sent the Nikkei share average soaring to record highs, as investors bet on a stimulus-fueled recovery. Yet, as NBC News points out, there’s lingering unease about how Japan will pay for such largesse, given its massive national debt.
Despite her promise to “drastically increase” the number of women in her cabinet, Takaichi appointed just three: Satsuki Katayama as finance minister (the first woman to hold the post), Kimi Onoda as economic security minister, and Midori Matsushima as her aide. The rest of her cabinet features party veterans and rivals, including Toshimitsu Motegi as foreign minister and Shinjiro Koizumi as defense minister. The appointments have drawn sharp criticism from advocates for gender equality. Chizuko Ueno, a prominent feminist author, remarked on X (formerly Twitter), “The prospect of Japan getting its first female prime minister doesn’t make me happy.” Ueno argued that Takaichi’s opposition to measures like separate surnames for married couples and same-sex marriage undermines the broader cause of women’s empowerment.
Japan’s struggle with gender parity is well-documented. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Global Gender Gap Report, the country ranks 118th out of 148, with women comprising less than 16% of lawmakers in the lower house and just 10% of government ministers. Takaichi herself has stonewalled efforts to advance women’s rights, supporting the imperial family’s male-only succession and opposing both same-sex marriage and legal reforms to allow married couples to keep separate surnames. As NBC News notes, she continued to use her maiden name professionally even after marrying, in line with legislation she herself proposed.
Takaichi’s personal story is full of intriguing contrasts. Before entering politics in 1993, she worked as a newscaster and is known for her love of heavy metal music—she still plays the drums and enjoys scuba diving. She has spoken openly about her struggles with menopause and has advocated for greater support for women’s health, though these issues have taken a back seat to her main campaign themes of economic revitalization and national defense.
The road to Takaichi’s historic win was anything but smooth. Her predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, lasted only a year in office before resigning with his cabinet amid public anger over corruption scandals and the rising cost of living. The LDP’s longtime coalition partner, the Buddhist-backed Komeito, walked away over concerns about the party’s response to corruption and discomfort with Takaichi’s revisionist views of Japan’s wartime history. This left the LDP scrambling to secure enough parliamentary support, ultimately resulting in the alliance with JIP. As Temple University professor Jeff Kingston told NBC News, “She emerges from this a diminished leader from the get-go.”
Takaichi now faces a daunting to-do list. She is expected to deliver a major policy speech later this week, followed by high-stakes talks with U.S. President Donald Trump—who is making his first trip to Asia since returning to office—and participation in key regional summits. Domestically, her immediate challenge is to address soaring inflation and public frustration over rising prices, with a deadline to unveil new economic measures by late December. The discontent that fueled the LDP’s July defeat has not abated, and support for far-right upstart parties continues to simmer among voters weary of mainstream politics.
For all her tough talk and “Iron Lady” persona, Takaichi’s grip on power remains tenuous. The coalition’s lack of a clear majority means she will need to court support from other opposition groups to pass any significant legislation. If she falters, her government could prove as short-lived as Ishiba’s. Yet, as she stood to bow deeply in parliament upon the announcement of her victory, there was no mistaking the sense of history in the chamber—a moment both celebrated and scrutinized in equal measure.
Japan’s new prime minister has little time to savor her breakthrough. With the economy teetering, political alliances in flux, and the weight of history on her shoulders, Sanae Takaichi faces the formidable task of turning a symbolic first into substantive change for her country.
