Image: Ian Miles Cheong X @stillgray
By Benjamin Foster | Staff Writer with Agencies
Japan’s parliament on Tuesday elected Sanae Takaichi, a hardline conservative, as its new prime minister, marking the country’s first female prime minister and a landmark moment in a society long dominated by men in both politics and the workplace.
Takaichi, 64, is known as a heavy metal drummer and motorcycle enthusiast. She grew up in Nara, near Osaka, and her rise from television host to the top of politics is an unusual one. At her inaugural press conference on Tuesday night, she said she would “not be afraid of change and will work boldly and tirelessly for the country and its people,” and listed economic reconstruction and protecting the national interest as her top priorities.
Takaichi sees herself as the successor to the assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Since Abe’s resignation, Japan has on its fourth prime minister, symbolizing the current political turmoil. She is known for her support for constitutional reform and her visits to Yasukuni Shrine, which honours war criminals from World War II. These actions have strained relations with neighboring countries, including China and South Korea.
Takaichi also opposes same-sex marriage and the introduction of separate surnames for married couples, and maintains a stance that emphasizes traditional values. Her firm stance toward China is also clear, which could pose new challenges to regional diplomacy. Meanwhile, concerns are being raised in Japan, where prices are rising, about her economic policies, which call for large-scale fiscal spending and tax cuts.
She admires Britain’s first female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, and is proud to be called the “Iron Lady.” “Like Thatcher, she is a strong conservative who stands up as a woman in a male-dominated society,” says foreign affairs expert Shihoko Goto. “However, the situation in Britain at the time is different from that in Japan today. She is expected to first address urgent issues both at home and abroad.”
At the press conference, Takaichi stated forcefully, “We will strengthen the Japanese economy and protect our national interests through diplomacy and security,” and vowed to “make Japanese diplomacy shine again at the center of the world.” She also said that she plans to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, who will be visiting Japan soon, and that she will “elevate Japan-U.S. relations to new heights.”
Unusual career and party reorganization
Unlike many male politicians, Takaichi does not come from a political family. Her father was an automaker and her mother a police officer. She moved to the United States, interned for a female Democratic Party lawmaker, and worked as a television commentator before entering politics.
After joining the LDP, she was elected to the House of Representatives nine times and served in key positions such as Minister of State for Special Missions in the Cabinet Office (Countermeasures against Declining Birthrate and Gender Equality) and Minister of State for Economic Security. In last month’s LDP presidential election, she defeated a moderate candidate, highlighting her right-wing leanings. There are high hopes that she will be a “symbol of reform” who will revive the party, which has been in a slump due to a series of scandals.
However, Japan faces a mountain of challenges. Rising prices, especially the price of rice, the country’s staple food, have nearly doubled since last year. Japan is also facing a declining birthrate, an aging population, and a worsening labor shortage. There is also deep-rooted public dissatisfaction with the acceptance of immigrants. Furthermore, the trade policies of the Trump administration in the United States are having a major impact on the Japanese economy.
The LDP lost a significant number of seats due to a political funding scandal, and its coalition with the Komeito Party was dissolved. The party formed a new coalition with the Japan Restoration Party and managed to maintain power. The appointment of Satsuki Katayama, the first female Minister of Finance, in the new Takaichi Cabinet has also been a hot topic.
Leif Eric Easley, a professor at South Korea’s Ewha Womans University, said, “Takaichi’s arrival signifies a restructuring of the party, not a major shift in diplomacy. She is not a revolutionary, but rather a rebranding agent.”
The public is looking for immediate results from Japan’s “Iron Lady,” who has been entrusted with restoring the popularity of the conservative government. With prime ministerial appointments often short-lived, much of the focus is on whether Takaichi can change that trend.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.