Japan is on the cusp of a historic political moment as Sanae Takaichi, a veteran conservative lawmaker, has been elected leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), positioning her to become the nation’s first female prime minister. The LDP’s decision, announced on Saturday, October 4, 2025, follows a tumultuous period for the party, which has struggled with consecutive electoral defeats and now finds itself in the minority in both houses of parliament. Yet, despite these setbacks, the LDP remains the largest force in the lower house, making Takaichi’s elevation to the premiership in the upcoming mid-October parliamentary vote all but certain.
Takaichi’s victory is significant not just for its gender milestone—Japan ranks poorly in global gender equality measures—but also for what it says about the current mood and direction of the LDP. According to Reuters, Takaichi is one of the party’s most conservative members, admired by the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and openly inspired by Margaret Thatcher. Her ascent comes after the resignation of Shigeru Ishiba, whose brief tenure as prime minister was marred by internal party discord and widespread public dissatisfaction.
The leadership contest itself was a closely watched affair. Five candidates, including Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi—the son of a popular former prime minister—vied for the top spot. In the end, Takaichi prevailed over Koizumi in a runoff at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo, winning 185 votes to 156. The election involved 295 LDP parliamentarians and roughly 1 million dues-paying party members, a process that, as NPR notes, represented just about 1% of the Japanese public. Despite the limited electorate, the outcome has broad implications for the entire country.
In her victory speech, Takaichi acknowledged the gravity of the challenges ahead. "I made history for the LDP," she said, expressing gratitude to her supporters. "Right now, instead of savoring joy, I'm overwhelmed by what's ahead, a mountain of challenges that I have to tackle with help from all of you." She added, "We must make our party one that is more energetic and cheerful so that we can change the people's worries into hope." (NPR)
Takaichi’s political journey is as unconventional as it is remarkable. Born in Nara in 1961, she studied business management at Kobe University, where she was known for her passion for motorcycles and drumming in a heavy metal band. After a stint as a fellow in the U.S. Congress, she launched her political career in 1993 as an independent before joining the LDP in 1996. Since then, she has held several ministerial posts, including internal affairs, communications, economic security, and gender equality.
Her policy positions are firmly rooted in the conservative tradition. Takaichi has championed stricter immigration controls, national security, and economic recovery. She is a strong supporter of "Abenomics," advocating for aggressive fiscal spending and low interest rates, and she has criticized the Bank of Japan’s recent rate hikes. On foreign policy, she is a noted China hawk and has repeatedly called for strengthening Japan’s defense capabilities. As The New York Times reports, she is a regular visitor to the Yasukuni Shrine, a controversial site associated with Japan’s wartime history, which has often strained relations with China and South Korea.
Yet, Takaichi’s rise also highlights the complexities of gender and politics in Japan. While she is poised to shatter the country’s highest glass ceiling, her stance on women’s rights has attracted criticism. She has supported laws requiring married couples to share a surname and opposes legal recognition of same-sex marriage. At the same time, she has pledged to appoint more women to her cabinet and improve gender representation in government—a move that, if realized, would mark a significant shift for a country where women make up only about a fifth of parliament and currently hold just two of twenty cabinet posts.
Takaichi’s campaign, like those of her rivals, steered clear of divisive social issues such as gender equality and sexual diversity. Analysts cited by CNN and NPR suggest that this avoidance reflects both the party’s desire to appeal to a broader base—including centrist opposition parties—and its reluctance to address scandals and controversial topics, such as the recent political funds debacle that contributed to the LDP’s electoral woes. Instead, all candidates branded themselves as “moderate conservatives,” focusing on economic challenges, rising prices, and defense.
Her leadership comes at a critical juncture for Japan. The LDP, which has long dominated Japanese politics, now faces the dual challenge of regaining public trust and forging new alliances. With opposition groups highly fragmented, Takaichi is expected to seek cooperation with centrist parties, including the moderate Komeito, to secure a governing majority. This coalition-building will be essential not only for domestic stability but also for advancing key policy initiatives.
Internationally, Takaichi will soon be tested on the diplomatic stage. A summit with U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly in the works for late October, coinciding with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea. Trade and defense are expected to top the agenda, with Trump likely to press Japan on increasing its defense spending and revisiting the U.S.-Japan investment deal—a pact Takaichi has previously criticized as potentially unfair to Japan.
Her approach to foreign labor and tourism has also drawn attention. During the campaign, she advocated for tighter regulations and even cited unconfirmed reports to criticize foreigners’ behavior in her hometown of Nara, a move that sparked debate about her views on multiculturalism and Japan’s demographic challenges.
Despite these controversies, Takaichi’s supporters see her as a force for renewal. "I have heard harsh voices from across the country saying we don't know what the LDP stands for anymore. That sense of urgency drove me. I wanted to turn people's anxieties about their daily lives and the future into hope," she said before the runoff vote, according to Reuters.
Still, significant hurdles remain. The LDP’s recent losses mean Takaichi must secure support from other parties in the Diet to be confirmed as prime minister. She will also have to address pressing issues such as rising food prices, stagnant wages, an aging population, and regional security threats—all while restoring confidence in a party many voters see as out of touch.
As Japan awaits the parliamentary vote set for mid-October, all eyes are on Takaichi and the LDP. Her election represents both a break from tradition and a reaffirmation of conservative values, a paradox that underscores the unique crossroads at which Japanese politics now stands. Whether Takaichi can navigate these competing pressures and deliver on her promises will soon become clear, but for now, her victory marks a new chapter in the story of modern Japan.
