Sanae Takaichi, a staunch conservative, made history by becoming Japan’s inaugural female prime minister on Tuesday, breaking through the country’s traditional male-dominated leadership and signaling a shift towards a more assertive right-wing stance. An adept follower of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and an admirer of Britain’s Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi secured 237 votes in the lower house election out of 465 seats.
International figures, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Mark Carney, congratulated Takaichi on her milestone achievement and expressed anticipation for enhanced collaboration. Takaichi’s victory, as the 104th Japanese prime minister, is a significant milestone in a nation where male influence has historically prevailed, potentially steering policies towards a more conservative direction on issues such as immigration and social matters.
The success of Takaichi was sealed through a coalition agreement between her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the right-wing Japan Innovation Party, Ishin, which fell two seats short of a majority in the lower house of Japan’s parliament. Tackling the challenge of rising prices in Japan, a shift from deflation, has fueled public discontent and bolstered support for opposition factions, prompting expectations that Takaichi will prioritize government spending to revive the economy.
As she assumes office, Takaichi aims to strengthen defense and national security, increase military expenditures, and intensify partnerships with the United States and other security allies. She advocates for revising Japan’s pacifist constitution to acknowledge the country’s armed forces, opposes same-sex marriage, and advocates against allowing married couples to adopt separate surnames. Takaichi has a background in business management, with experience working in the U.S. Congress in the late 1980s before venturing into Japanese politics.
In her cabinet appointments, Takaichi appointed two women, Satsuki Katayama as the first female finance minister and Kimi Onoda as economic security minister, reflecting her commitment to enhancing female representation. Katayama, a former Finance Ministry official, is recognized for her expertise in fiscal matters and currency diplomacy, contrasting with her predecessor’s more reserved approach.
Shinjiro Koizumi is slated to serve as Japan’s defense minister, while seasoned lawmaker Toshimitsu Motegi will assume the role of foreign minister in Takaichi’s administration. Takaichi’s ascendancy marks a groundbreaking chapter in Japan’s political landscape, with expectations high for her leadership as the nation embarks on a new era under its first female prime minister.
