A Lower House of the Japanese Parliament nominated Takaichi, 64 years old, in the first vote. Your appointment will be made official when you meet the emperor Naruhito even today.
Takaichi is the fifth leader of the archipelago in five years and takes office in a delicate political scenariowith an intense international agenda, including the visit of the US President Donald Trump next week.
Yuichi Yamazaki/Pool Via Reuters
Rise in the PLD and formation of the coalition
On October 4, Takaichi won the presidency of the Liberal Democratic Party (PLD)a conservative formation that has been in power almost continuously since 1955. In recent months, the PLD has lost its majority in both chambers of Parliament due to financial scandals.
The PLD’s traditional ally, the party Cometabandoned the coalition due to scandals and Takaichi’s conservative views. To guarantee the election as head of the Government and succeed the Shigeru IshibaTakaichi formed an alliance with the Japanese Innovation Party (Ishin)center-right.
Sanae Takaichi, elected leader of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party
YUICHI YAMAZAKI / POOL
A female and conservative leadership
Admirer of Margaret ThatcherTakaichi promised an Executive with a “Scandinavian-style” number of women, contrasting with just two on his predecessor’s team. One of them will be Satsuki Katayamawho is expected to take on the role of Finance Minister.
Despite promoting a greater female presence in the Government, Takaichi maintains conservative positions: opposes the revision of the law that requires couples to use the same surname and supports the imperial succession exclusively for men.
Japan currently occupies 118th place among 148 countries in the 2025 report of World Economic Forum on gender inequality, and the lower house of Parliament is only 15% women.
Economic and demographic challenges
Takaichi will face Japan’s demographic decline and the need to revive the fourth largest economy in the world. The coalition with Ishin controls 231 seats in Parliamentbelow the 233 needed for an absolute majority, requiring negotiations with other parties.
Following his mentor’s example, Shinzo Abethe new prime minister defends the increase in public expenditure to stimulate the economy. The victory boosted the Tokyo Stock Exchange to record levels, thanks to Takaichi’s reputation as a “fiscal dove”.
Foreign policy and internal challenges
On the external front, Takaichi moderated the speech on the China and avoided visiting the Yasukuni shrineassociated with Japan’s militaristic past. Internally, its main challenge will be recover the popularity of the PLD after electoral setbacks that led to the rise of Sanseitoa populist party that considers immigration a “silent invasion”.
The victory of the new “Iron Lady” in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) primaries, the main Japanese stock index soared by almost 5%. Sanae Takaichi defends increased expenses and reduced taxes to stimulate the economy: “I will abandon the expression ‘work-life balance’. – he warned
1961
From traditional Japan
In the year that would go down in history due to the first man going into space, Sanae was born in Nara, considered a stronghold of the traditional Japanese spirit.
1987
At Uncle Sam’s house
With the sponsorship of the Matsushita Institute, she moves to the United States and works with Democratic Congresswoman Pat Schroeder, as a fellow at the North American Congress. Upon returning, in 1989, he wrote about the experience and became a television star.
1993
In the name of the people
She was elected to the Chamber of Representatives in the general elections, after having ventured into radio. In 1996, she joined the Liberal Democratic Party and opposed same-sex marriage, recognition of separate surnames for spouses and female succession to the Japanese throne.
2004
perpetual covenant
Marries a member of the House of Representatives, Taku Yamamoto. She has no descendants, but adopts her husband’s children. They divorced in 2017, invoking different political views. They get married again in 2021.
2011
Bad companies
Appears with Kazunari Yamada, leader of the neo-Nazi group Japanese National Socialist Workers’ Party. Takaichi has a revisionist view of World War II, denying the crimes of the Imperial Japanese Army.
2019
A little bit of everything
An ally of Shinzo Abe, she held several positions during the former prime minister’s term, mainly as minister of Internal Affairs and Communications. However, he continues to play the piano and enjoy heavy metal.
2021
It wasn’t like this
She ran for election for the leadership of the LDP in 2021, but ended up being eliminated before the second round, having come in third place. In 2024, he competes for the second time and comes first in the first round, but narrowly loses to Shigeru Ishiba in the second.
2025
The first lady
She assumes the presidency of the Liberal Democratic Party, finally defeating Shinjirō Koizumi and positioning herself as the future Prime Minister of Japan.
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