Japan Elects Sanae Takaichi as First Female Prime Minister
Japan’s parliament on Tuesday elected ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first female prime minister, marking a historic yet divisive moment in its politics.
Takaichi, a protégé of slain former leader Shinzo Abe, secured 237 votes in the 465-seat lower house to succeed Shigeru Ishiba, ending a three-month political deadlock after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) suffered major election losses in July.
Her victory follows a last-minute coalition deal between the LDP and the right-wing Japan Innovation Party (JIP). However, the new alliance still falls two seats short of a majority — raising concerns about potential instability.
A staunch conservative, Takaichi is known for her hardline views on immigration, gender, and social issues. She opposes same-sex marriage, separate surnames for married couples, and supports maintaining the imperial family’s male-only succession line.
The LDP’s former coalition partner, the Buddhist-backed Komeito party, withdrew from their alliance earlier, citing concerns about corruption and political direction.
Like her mentor Abe, Takaichi is expected to pursue aggressive fiscal policies aimed at revitalising Japan’s sluggish economy, which has recently faced rising inflation. Her appointment triggered a “Takaichi trade” surge in the stock market, pushing the Nikkei to record highs. Both houses of parliament confirmed Takaichi’s premiership, and she was sworn in as Japan’s 104th leader on Tuesday evening.
Comments
This post currently has no comments.