In a historic move, Japan’s parliament elected ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first female prime minister on Tuesday, bringing an end to a three-month political vacuum and turmoil since the coalition’s defeat in the July parliamentary election. Takaichi, a 64-year-old admirer of Margaret Thatcher and a social conservative, has faced a range of challenges as she steps into office.
The moderate centrist Komeito party played a crucial role in Takaichi’s election after splitting from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party following a 26-year-long alliance. Takaichi’s victory marks a significant milestone in Japanese politics, breaking barriers for women in leadership roles.
Takaichi, often referred to as Japan’s ‘Iron Lady,’ has a reputation for her staunchly conservative views, including support for the imperial family’s male-only succession, opposition to same-sex marriage, and resistance to allowing separate surnames for married couples. Despite these controversial stances, Takaichi’s election signifies a shift towards a more right-leaning government in Japan.
As the first female prime minister, Takaichi faces the task of addressing various domestic and international issues, including economic recovery, defense strengthening, and assertive diplomacy, particularly concerning China and Taiwan. Her socially conservative and nationalist stance is expected to shape Japan’s policies in the coming years.
However, Takaichi’s cabinet appointments have raised concerns about gender balance, as she named only two women to her cabinet despite promising a comparable representation to Nordic countries. This decision has sparked debates about gender equality and women’s empowerment in Japanese politics under Takaichi’s leadership.
Overall, Sanae Takaichi’s election as Japan’s first female prime minister marks a significant moment in the country’s political history, signaling a shift towards a more conservative government. As she navigates the challenges ahead, Takaichi’s leadership will be closely watched both domestically and internationally.
Political Bias Index: Neutral
References:
1. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3329748/sanae-takaichi-becomes-japans-first-female-pm-ending-political-crisis?utm_source=rss_feed
2. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/21/who-is-sanae-takaichi-japans-iron-lady-and-first-female-prime-minister?traffic_source=rss
3. https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251021-japan-gets-its-first-female-prime-minister-ending-three-month-political-vacuum
4. https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/sanae-takaichi-japans-1st-woman-pm-names-just-2-women-in-her-cabinet-9491071
5. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/world/asia/sanae-takaichi-japan-prime-minister.html
6. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/meet-japans-iron-lady-sanae-takaichi-first-woman-prime-minister-facing-big-political-economic-and-regional-challenges/articleshow/124720695.cms
7. https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/ultra-conservative-sanae-takaichi-elected-as-japans-first-female-pm-1821297.html
Hashtags: #NexSouk #AIForGood #EthicalAI #WomenInPolitics #ConservativeLeadership
Social Commentary influenced the creation of this article.
🔗 Share or Link to This Page
Use the link below to share or embed this post:
