Japan has entered a new political era with the appointment of Sanae Takaichi as the nation’s first female prime minister, marking a historic moment in a country long dominated by male leadership.
Takaichi, 64, a conservative heavyweight known for her disciplined style and nationalist views, was elected by parliament on Tuesday after winning an all-male contest within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) earlier this month. Her rise follows weeks of political upheaval, including the withdrawal of the LDP’s centrist coalition partner after a 26-year alliance.
Now at the helm, Takaichi faces the immediate challenge of stabilising Japan’s political landscape and reviving a sluggish economy amid investor unease over the country’s mounting national debt.
A self-professed admirer of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi has often been compared to the “Iron Lady” for her conservative convictions and firm leadership style. She met Thatcher shortly before her death in 2013 and has frequently cited her as an inspiration, praising her “strength, principles, and womanly warmth.”
While she channels Thatcher’s political grit, Takaichi’s economic stance diverges sharply. A strong proponent of “Abenomics”, the economic strategy introduced by the late Shinzo Abe, she supports expansionary fiscal policies, including higher public spending, tax cuts, and more government oversight of the Bank of Japan. Analysts warn, however, that her interventionist approach could unsettle global markets and investors.
Known for her nationalist leanings and cultural conservatism, Takaichi has often courted controversy. She has made frequent visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honours Japan’s war dead, including convicted war criminals, a move that has drawn criticism from China and South Korea. She has also advocated for revising Japan’s pacifist post-war constitution and strengthening defence ties with Taiwan, potentially heightening tensions with Beijing.
Despite her hardline reputation, Takaichi has pledged to increase women’s representation in government, a move that could help Japan improve its poor gender parity rankings. Still, her opposition to same-sex marriage and to allowing married couples to keep separate surnames has divided public opinion, especially among younger voters.
Beyond politics, Takaichi’s personal quirks have added to her distinctive image. A fan of heavy metal music and an avid drummer, she is described by friends as both tough-minded and approachable. In her hometown of Nara, supporters recall her as empathetic and grounded— qualities symbolised by her signature “Sanae Cut,” a sleek hairstyle she has kept for decades.
A graduate of Kobe University, Takaichi began her career as a congressional fellow in the United States before entering Japan’s lower house in 1993. She joined the LDP three years later and gradually climbed the ranks, holding key ministerial portfolios in economic security and internal affairs.
As she prepares to host US President Donald Trump on an official visit next week, Japan’s first female leader stands at a crossroads, balancing economic reform, regional diplomacy, and a deeply divided electorate.
Whether her tenure ushers in a period of renewal or sparks new political turbulence, one fact remains: Sanae Takaichi has shattered one of Japan’s most enduring glass ceilings.
