Sanae Takaichi set to become Japan’s first female PM
**Sanae Takaichi Set to Become Japan’s First Female Prime Minister**
*By Snehil Singh | October 4, 2025 – 3:17 PM*
**What’s the story?**
Sanae Takaichi has been elected as the new leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), positioning her to become the country’s first female prime minister, pending a parliamentary vote. The 64-year-old right-wing politician secured victory in a runoff election against moderate Shinjiro Koizumi by a narrow margin of 185 votes to 156.
This leadership change follows the resignation of outgoing Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga after just one year in office.
**Political outlook: Takaichi’s ultra-conservative views**
Takaichi is widely known for her ultra-conservative stance and has been a staunch supporter of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s conservative vision. Admiring leaders like Margaret Thatcher, she advocates for a stronger military, increased fiscal spending, promotion of nuclear fusion energy, enhanced cybersecurity measures, and stricter immigration policies.
While committed to increasing female representation within the Tokyo cabinet, Takaichi has expressed opposition to same-sex marriage and reforms allowing women to ascend the imperial throne, maintaining support for the traditional male-only succession.
**Party dynamics: The significance of Takaichi’s win**
Takaichi’s victory is a landmark moment in Japan’s political landscape, where female politicians and business leaders remain scarce. Women currently constitute roughly 15% of the country’s lower house.
Her election comes at a crucial time for the LDP, which has recently grappled with two challenging elections amid a funding scandal and rising cost-of-living concerns. Takaichi’s immediate priority will be to unify the party and restore public trust following these controversies.
**Controversial stances on gender equality and immigration**
Despite the historic nature of her win, Takaichi’s views on gender equality have sparked debate. She opposes allowing women to become reigning empresses and is against the policy permitting married couples to use separate surnames.
On immigration, she has urged a reconsideration of policies that accommodate people from diverse cultural backgrounds during her campaign. Furthermore, her hawkish foreign policy approach may create tension with the LDP’s coalition partner, the Komeito party.
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Sanae Takaichi’s rise marks a significant chapter for Japan, blending breakthrough gender representation with a continuation of ultra-conservative politics. As she prepares to potentially take the country’s highest political office, all eyes will be on how she navigates these complex challenges ahead.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/sanae-takaichi-set-to-become-japan-s-first-female-pm/story
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