In a historic turn for Japanese politics, Sanae Takaichi, a staunch conservative and former Economic Security Minister, has been elected president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). With the LDP holding the largest bloc in Parliament, Takaichi is now expected to be Japan’s first female prime minister. Parliament will hold the vote on October 15.
Takaichi, 64, secured 185 votes in a runoff against Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. Koizumi had campaigned as a youthful reformist. Her victory comes amid growing public dissatisfaction over inflation, stagnant wages, and recent political scandals. These have eroded trust in the LDP.
LDP-A party in crisis
The LDP has faced back-to-back electoral setbacks under outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The party lost its majority in both houses of Parliament. Takaichi inherits a fractured party and a skeptical electorate. In her acceptance speech, she acknowledged the urgency of restoring public confidence:
“We won’t be able to rebuild the party if I don’t get everyone’s help, from all generations,” she said. She added, “I will scrap my work-life balance and work and work and work and work.”
Nationalist vision and economic revival
Sanae Takaichi’s platform echoes the late Shinzo Abe’s ‘Abenomics’. She advocates aggressive fiscal spending and monetary easing. She has criticised the Bank of Japan’s interest rate hikes and pledged support for domestic industries like AI, semiconductors, and battery technology.
Her nationalist stance includes controversial positions. For example, revisiting Japan’s postwar constitution and strengthening ties with Taiwan. She also plans on renegotiating trade deals with the United States. Sanae Takaichi regularly visits the Yasukuni Shrine, a practice that risks straining Japan’s relations with China and South Korea.
Gender and leadership
While her election marks a milestone for women in Japanese politics, Takaichi’s views on gender equality remain conservative. She opposes same-sex marriage and reforms to marital naming laws. However, she has pledged to improve female representation in her cabinet.
The parliamentary vote on October 15 will likely confirm Takaichi as Prime Minister. However, the LDP’s weakened position means she must navigate coalition politics carefully. Her leadership could redefine Japan’s domestic priorities and foreign policy posture in the years ahead.
