Japan’s Parliament elected ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first woman prime minister on Tuesday, ending a three-month political vacuum following the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) election loss in July. She succeeds Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned after a year in office.
Takaichi secured her premiership through a last-minute coalition with the Osaka-based rightwing Japan Innovation Party (JIP), which shifted her governing bloc further to the right. Despite the alliance, her government remains short of a majority in both houses and will need support from other opposition groups to pass legislation, raising concerns about potential instability.
The coalition agreement underscores Takaichi’s hawkish and nationalistic policies. The LDP’s longtime partner, the Buddhist-backed Komeito, exited the coalition over concerns about lax responses to slush fund scandals and Takaichi’s revisionist stance on Japan’s wartime past.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Takaichi, expressing his intent to strengthen India-Japan ties. Takaichi, 64, plans to present a Cabinet composed of allies of LDP kingmaker Taro Aso and other supporters from her leadership vote. JIP will not hold ministerial posts until it gains confidence in the partnership.
Takaichi faces immediate deadlines, including a major policy speech, talks with US President Donald Trump, and regional summits. She must address rising prices and compile economic measures by late December. Although she is Japan’s first female prime minister, Takaichi has historically opposed gender equality reforms, supports male-only imperial succession, and opposes same-sex marriage and separate surnames for married couples.
A protege of assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi is expected to pursue stronger military and economic policies and push for constitutional revisions. She has recently moderated her hawkish rhetoric, including sending a religious ornament to Yasukuni Shrine instead of visiting in person, to temper diplomatic tensions with Beijing and Seoul.
