Japan Appoints First-ever Female Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi

Japan has made history with the appointment of Sanae Takaichi as its first female prime minister, following a parliamentary vote on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

Takaichi, 64, a conservative lawmaker known for her strong nationalist views and close ties to the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, was confirmed by Japan’s lower house after securing the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) earlier this month.

According to verified reports, Takaichi takes office at a time of deep political and economic uncertainty. Her party has struggled with declining public confidence and coalition instability following the withdrawal of the Komeito Party over corruption and ideological concerns. To secure a governing majority, Takaichi forged a last-minute alliance with the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), a right-leaning reformist group pushing for lower consumption taxes and limits on corporate donations.

Takaichi, a former communications minister, has pledged to strengthen Japan’s economy and boost national security amid rising tensions with China. She has also promised to include more women in her cabinet, aiming for what she described as “Nordic-level representation” a sharp contrast to her predecessor Shigeru Ishiba’s male-dominated administration.

Despite breaking Japan’s political glass ceiling, analysts note that Takaichi’s policies remain rooted in conservative ideology. She opposes revising Japan’s 19th-century family law requiring married couples to share the same surname and supports maintaining male-only imperial succession.

The new premier will face significant challenges, including reviving Japan’s sluggish economy, managing relations with Washington and Beijing, and addressing the country’s rapidly aging population.

International observers say Takaichi’s leadership marks both a symbolic milestone for gender representation and a test of whether a woman at the helm can redefine Japan’s political landscape without departing from its deeply conservative foundations.

Her first major diplomatic test is expected next week, with a scheduled visit from U.S. President Donald Trump, where trade and defense cooperation will top the agenda.