Japan has elected its first female prime minister in history, as Sanae Takaichi, 64, secured a commanding majority in a parliamentary vote on 21st October, 2025. Backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Takaichi clinched 237 votes in the Lower House and a further 125 in the Upper House, formally assuming the top job at a time of domestic discontent and international uncertainty. Her election marks a turning point in Japanese politics, yet her victory also reflects a political system grappling with instability. Takaichi becomes the fourth leader in just five years, following a string of short-lived administrations marked by scandal and plummeting approval ratings.
Often likened to former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher – whom she openly admires – Takaichi’s conservative stance has won her loyal supporters but also sharp critics. While her election has been hailed by some as a milestone for women in Japan, others remain sceptical. “Everyone’s like, ‘Wow, she’s the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that’s a great opportunity for women’s empowerment’,” said 21-year-old university student Ayda Ogura. “But if you look into her political beliefs and what she stands for, you realise that some of the things are very traditional.”
A long-serving figure in the LDP, Takaichi is no newcomer to Japan’s political establishment. An ally of the late former prime minister Shinzo Abe, she has held multiple cabinet roles over two decades. Despite previously failing in bids for the leadership, she rose to the top of the LDP this month after former leader Shigeru Ishiba stepped down following heavy electoral defeats. Yet her ascent was far from guaranteed. The LDP’s long-standing coalition with the Komeito party fractured just as Takaichi won the internal leadership contest. A surprise deal with the right-leaning Japan Innovation Party (JIP), however, shored up the numbers she needed to govern.
While campaigning, Takaichi promised to bolster support for families, including expanding hospital services for women’s health and formally recognising the work of household support staff. She is also expected to name Satsuki Katayama as finance minister — another historic appointment, and like Takaichi, a protégé of Abe. Investors, have reacted with cautious optimism to her appointment, amid hopes that Takaichi may offer a degree of stability lacking in recent years. Whether she can deliver that — and rebuild public trust in the LDP — remains to be seen.
