Who Is Sanae Takaichi? Conservative Trailblazer Set to Become Japan’s First Woman Prime Minister
Story: written by Daniel October 6,2025
Sanae Takaichi Poised to Become Japan’s First Female Prime Minister
For the first time in Japan’s modern political history, a woman is set to lead the country. Sanae Takaichi, a veteran conservative politician and close ally of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has been elected leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on its 70th anniversary—placing her on course to become Japan’s first female prime minister.
Takaichi’s victory is a defining moment for Japan, marking both continuity and transformation within the long-dominant LDP, which has ruled the country for most of the post-war era. Her rise comes amid declining party approval ratings, corruption scandals, and a growing demand for reform and leadership renewal.
A Veteran Politician With Deep Conservative Roots
Born in Nara Prefecture in 1961, the 64-year-old Takaichi studied business administration at Kobe University before entering politics in the early 1990s. In 1993, she became one of the few women elected to Japan’s parliament—a rare feat in a political landscape long dominated by men.
Over the past three decades, she has earned a reputation as a disciplined and assertive political operator, known for her loyalty to conservative values and her ability to navigate Japan’s complex power structures.
Takaichi served as Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications under Shinzo Abe in 2014, a position that elevated her profile both domestically and internationally.
LDP Chooses Experience Over Change
Her victory over younger rival Shinjiro Koizumi signals the LDP’s preference for experience and ideological stability over youthful transformation. Many party insiders see her leadership as a continuation of Abe’s nationalist and pro-defense agenda.
Policy Positions: Security, Economy, and Traditional Values
Takaichi is firmly rooted in the conservative wing of the LDP. She advocates for strengthening Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, increasing defense spending, and tightening national security laws to respond to regional threats.
On social policy, she opposes same-sex marriage and separate surnames for married couples, positions that have drawn criticism from progressives who argue Japan must modernize its laws to reflect a changing society.
In foreign affairs, she has pledged to rebuild trust with Washington and push for a “strong and self-reliant Japan,” including fulfilling trade and security commitments made under previous administrations. However, her past visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan’s war dead—including convicted war criminals—could strain relations with neighboring countries such as China and South Korea.
Symbol of Progress in Gender Equality
Takaichi’s rise carries immense symbolic importance for gender equality in Japan. Despite being one of the world’s most advanced economies, Japan ranks low in gender representation—only about 15.7 percent of lawmakers in the lower house are women, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Her ascent to the nation’s highest office could inspire more women to enter politics, breaking long-standing barriers in one of Asia’s most patriarchal societies.
Balancing Pragmatism and Compassion
In her leadership campaign, Takaichi emphasized economic revival, family support, and social welfare reforms. She pledged to make babysitter fees partially tax-deductible and to offer corporate tax incentives for companies providing in-house childcare—measures aimed at easing the pressures on Japan’s working parents.
“The LDP must change for the sake of Japan’s present and future,” Takaichi said after her victory. “We will always put national interest first and manage the country with balance and responsibility.”
Her personal experiences caring for family members have shaped her policies on healthcare and labor:
“I’ve experienced caregiving three times in my life. My goal is to build a society where no one has to give up their job because of caregiving or child-rearing,” she said.
A Reserved Life Beyond Politics
Away from the public eye, Takaichi leads a private, disciplined life. She is married to Taku Yamamoto, a fellow LDP lawmaker.
As she awaits formal confirmation by parliament on October 15, Takaichi faces steep challenges—reviving Japan’s stagnant economy, addressing an aging population, and rebuilding public trust in a government many voters view as detached from their daily struggles.
Still, her leadership marks a historic turning point for Japan—signaling that even in one of the world’s most traditional political systems, change is finally breaking through.
