Japan’s political landscape shifted dramatically this week as Sanae Takaichi, an ultraconservative stalwart of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), took office as the nation’s first female prime minister. Her election on October 21, 2025, marked a historic moment for a country where women have long struggled to break through the highest echelons of power. Yet as the dust settles, the question on many minds is what kind of leader Takaichi will be—and what her rise means for Japan’s future at home and abroad.
Takaichi’s ascent comes at a time of uncertainty for the LDP. The party, which has dominated Japanese politics for most of the postwar era, suffered heavy losses in recent elections, losing its majority in the lower house and ceding ground in the upper house. To secure her position, Takaichi and the LDP struck a deal with the right-leaning Japan Innovation Party, nudging the government further to the right of the political spectrum, according to NPR and TNND.
In her first remarks as prime minister, Takaichi pledged, “I’m determined to build a strong Japanese economy and protect Japan’s national interest with diplomacy and security.” She underscored the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance, especially as she prepares to host U.S. President Donald Trump in Tokyo from October 27 to 29. “At first, I hope to develop relations of trust between the two leaders through candid exchange of views about the challenges that Japan and the United States face,” she said, as reported by TNND.
Takaichi’s rise is remarkable in a country where, as of 2024, women held only about 10% of seats in parliament. The World Economic Forum’s 2025 Global Gender Gap Report ranked Japan 118th out of 148 countries for gender equality—the lowest in the G7. Yet, despite shattering the glass ceiling, Takaichi has not positioned herself as a champion of women’s rights. She supports male-only succession for the Japanese imperial family, opposes same-sex marriage, and resists allowing married couples to keep separate surnames. During her campaign, she promised to increase the number of women in her cabinet to “Nordic levels,” or closer to 50%. But in her initial appointments, only two women—Satsuki Katayama as finance minister and Kimi Onoda as economic security minister—earned top posts.
Her stance on gender roles and social issues has drawn comparisons to Margaret Thatcher, whom Takaichi openly admires. She often dons blue suits in homage to the late British leader and has cultivated a public image that blends hardline politics with a flair for heavy metal music and motorcycles. According to NPR, she played drums in a band during her college years and cites Deep Purple and Iron Maiden as favorites—a detail that adds a dash of unpredictability to her otherwise steely persona.
Takaichi’s background is unusual among Japanese prime ministers. Born and raised in Nara to parents outside the political elite, she attended Kobe University, supporting herself through part-time jobs. In 1987, she worked as a congressional fellow in the U.S. office of Rep. Pat Schroeder, a Democrat from Colorado, before returning to Japan to launch a career in media and, eventually, politics. She entered parliament in 1993, joined the LDP three years later, and has since held several key government positions, including as minister of economic security and internal affairs.
Her political philosophy is deeply conservative. Takaichi subscribes to modern monetary theory, advocating deficit spending for defense and other priorities, and has called for programs to promote childbirth. But it is her views on immigration and national identity that have sparked the most controversy. During her campaign, she called for a crackdown on illegal immigrants and foreign nationals who overstay their visas. She also cited unconfirmed reports of tourists kicking sacred deer in Nara Park—a claim that, according to Newsweek, many saw as stoking anti-foreigner sentiment.
Japan’s foreign resident population hit a record 3% in 2024, as the government cautiously loosened visa requirements to address labor shortages brought on by a declining birth rate and an aging workforce. Tourism also surged by 48% in 2024 compared to the previous year. Amid this demographic shift, Takaichi’s rhetoric has resonated with some on the right, but also fueled rumors and fears. In the days following her swearing-in, social media posts falsely claimed she had created a “ministry for mass deportations.” Newsweek found no evidence to support these rumors, and no such ministry appears on the official government website. Instead, Kimi Onoda, the newly appointed minister in charge of a “society of well-ordered and harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals,” emphasized the government’s intention to “advance comprehensive discussions as a unified government on various issues, including strict measures against those who do not follow the rules and the revision of systems and policies that are currently inadequate for the present circumstances.”
Experts caution against reading too much into the online uproar. Jeffrey Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies, told Newsweek, “Takaichi has not promised mass deportations. As with previous PMs, if a foreigner in Japan gets caught without legal status, they will most likely face deportation. That’s how it’s been for many years.” The Prime Minister’s Office echoed this, pledging to “enhance policy coordination on foreign nationals in Japan and promote broad-ranging measures” to maintain public order.
Takaichi’s hardline stance extends to foreign policy, particularly toward China and South Korea. She has advocated for a stronger military and closer ties with the U.S. to counterbalance China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific. Her regular visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine—a site honoring Japan’s war dead, including convicted war criminals—have drawn criticism from Beijing and Seoul. Notably, for this year’s autumn festival, she sent a ritual offering instead of visiting in person, a move seen as an attempt to ease diplomatic tensions.
International reactions to Takaichi’s election have been swift. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung congratulated her and expressed hope for a summit during the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings, emphasizing the importance of stable bilateral relations. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun urged Japan to “honor its political commitments on major issues, including on history and Taiwan, maintain the political foundation of bilateral relations and advance the China-Japan strategic relations of mutual benefit.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also offered congratulations, stating, “As Japan’s first female PM, you’re making history. I look forward to working closely together to take the unique EU-Japan partnership to the next level.”
Takaichi’s relationship with the U.S. is set to be tested almost immediately. President Trump, who posted early congratulations on Truth Social, calling her “a highly respected person of great wisdom and strength,” will visit Tokyo next week. Takaichi, a protégé of the late Shinzo Abe—who was known for his close relationship with Trump—hopes to build a similar rapport, stating her intention to “make our alliance even stronger & more prosperous, and to advance a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
For now, Takaichi faces a daunting agenda: stabilizing her party, addressing economic frustrations, managing rising prices, and navigating complex foreign relations. Whether her historic win signals progress for women or a deeper conservative turn remains to be seen, but her tenure is certain to be closely watched both in Japan and around the world.
