In a landmark moment, Sanae Takaichi has been elected as Japan’s first female Prime Minister, securing 237 votes in the 465-member Lower House on October 21, 2025. She succeeds Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned after electoral setbacks.
A veteran leader of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Takaichi is known for her conservative ideology, admiration for Margaret Thatcher, and alignment with the legacy of Shinzo Abe. Her priorities include stricter immigration control, national security reforms, and a reinterpretation of Japan’s pacifist constitution.
Economically, her victory sparked the so-called “Takaichi Trade”, as investors welcomed expectations of fiscal stimulus, pushing the Nikkei index to record highs. However, economists warn of inflationary risks and rising national debt.
Takaichi’s election marks a historic breakthrough for women in Japanese politics, symbolizing both progress and paradox — a woman breaking barriers through a traditional conservative platform in a country still striving for gender parity.
