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The First Female Prime Minister of Japan: Sanae Takaichi’s Rise, Policies, and Controversies
Sanae Takaichi has recently made history by becoming the first female prime minister of Japan. After decades of male-dominated leadership, her election marks a symbolic turning point. But beyond the symbolism, her rise raises many questions about what she plans to do, how she will govern, and how her policies will affect Japan at home and abroad.
Early Political Career and Rise to Leadership
The first female prime minister of Japan was not born into politics in the usual way, but she has long been a figure in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Sanae Takaichi was first elected to the Diet in 1993, representing Nara. Over the years she held several significant roles including Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications and Minister of Economic Security. These positions gave her experience in domestic policy, regulatory frameworks, and national security. She also served as chair of the LDP Policy Research Council, which is one of the party’s powerful internal organs. All these roles built her credibility within the LDP and prepared her for national leadership.
In October 2025, she won the leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party in an intraparty election. Because the LDP has been the dominant party for decades, the winner of its internal leadership race is almost certain to become the prime minister. With her election, Takaichi is poised to become the first female prime minister of Japan. Many view this as a milestone for gender representation in Japanese politics, especially in a country that ranks poorly in global gender equality indices.
Defining Policy Positions
As the first female prime minister of Japan, Takaichi is not expected to shift radically from traditional conservative policies, but she has articulated a few directions she wants to push.
One of her priorities is economic stimulus. She supports continuing “Abenomics” style policies: monetary easing, fiscal stimulus, structural reforms. She has proposed a “crisis management investment” framework to support sectors like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, advanced medicine, nuclear fusion, materials, and energy. She argues that in an era of global uncertainty — climate change, supply chain disruptions, regional security threats — these sectors are essential for Japan’s resilience and future growth.
Her foreign policy and defense stance are firm. The first female prime minister of Japan has expressed desire to strengthen Japan’s defense capabilities, revise parts of its pacifist constitution, deepen alliances with the United States, and take a tougher posture toward China and North Korea. These positions reflect a faction in the LDP that sees Japan needing to be more assertive in regional security.
On social issues, she remains conservative. She opposes changing the law that requires married couples to share a single surname (a law that many see as disadvantaging women). She has opposed legal same-sex marriage. She also does not support expanding imperial succession rights to women. These stances have generated debate because many voters expect that having the first female prime minister of Japan would result in more liberal policies for gender equality, but her record suggests caution rather than sweeping reform.
Controversies Surrounding Her Rise
The first female prime minister of Japan also comes with baggage, controversy, and challenges.
One major controversy involves visits to Yasukuni Shrine. The shrine honors Japan’s war dead, including Class A war criminals from World War II. Visits by senior politicians often draw criticism from neighboring countries like China and South Korea. Takaichi has pledged respect for tradition and made these visits part of her political identity, which some see as nationalist sentiment.
Her conservative views on gender and social policy have drawn criticism, especially from women’s rights groups. While her election is historic, the first female prime minister of Japan may not deliver radical changes for gender equality. Many critics say her policies might maintain the status quo or only incrementally shift it.
Another controversy is her leadership timing and political context. The first female prime minister of Japan steps in during a difficult period for her party. The LDP has seen recent election losses and declining public trust. The coalition partner Komeito has withdrawn its support over disagreements, especially about political finance reform. Without stable coalition backing, passing legislation will be harder, making early success uncertain.
Public Reaction and Media Commentary
Public reaction to the first female prime minister of Japan has been mixed.
Some see Takaichi’s election as a breakthrough. Many Japanese citizens, especially women, have expressed pride that their country now has a woman in its highest political office. For younger generations, this change is a sign that barriers are slowly falling.
Others are cautious or critical. On Twitter and in other forums people debate whether she truly believes in progressive change or whether her election is symbolic. Some point out that real change in Japan requires reform in childcare, work culture, and gender norms, and question whether her conservative stances will deliver that.
Media commentary has noted her alignment with the Shinzo Abe wing of the party. Her admiration of former Prime Minister Abe and conservative figures such as Margaret Thatcher have been noted. While some pundits welcome stability and experience, others warn that her nationalistic tendencies could complicate Japan’s relationships with neighboring countries and risk alienating moderates.
Challenges Ahead for the First Female Prime Minister of Japan
Assuming the role, the first female prime minister of Japan will inherit major economic, social, and diplomatic challenges:
- Economic pressures: Inflation, aging population, low birth rates, and shrinking workforce all pose long-term risks. Stimulus policies and investment in high tech must be balanced with fiscal discipline.
- Coalition and governance: With Komeito withdrawing from the ruling coalition since she was elected LDP leader, forming a stable government will require negotiating with opposition parties. Without majority support, pushing through her agenda may require compromise.
- Foreign relations: Her nationalist positions risk straining ties with China and South Korea. Visits to Yasukuni Shrine, constitutional revision, and wartime history statements are flashpoints. How she handles diplomacy will be watched closely.
- Gender equality expectations: Many citizens expect the first female prime minister of Japan to champion women’s rights. Whether she delivers or not will influence her credibility. Policies on work life balance, gender roles, childcare, and legal equality will be under scrutiny.
What Her Leadership Could Mean Going Forward
As the first female prime minister of Japan, Takaichi’s tenure could be historic even beyond symbolic value. If she succeeds in boosting economic growth through stimulus and innovation investment, and if she manages to secure stable political support, she could shift some of the conservative policy environment in way that strengthens Japan’s global competitiveness.
Her foreign policy could mark a shift toward greater military readiness and reassertion of national identity. If she manages to revise elements of the constitution, Japan could take on a more assertive regional posture.
Conversely, if her socially conservative positions alienate key demographics in urban areas or among youth, her leadership might be seen as reinforcing old norms with new titles. The first female prime minister of Japan may become a case study of how symbolic firsts come with high expectations and little margin for error.
Conclusion
Sanae Takaichi’s election as the first female prime minister of Japan is undeniably historic. It breaks the long streak of male leadership and offers hope for many that change in representation is possible. However, her conservative ideology, controversies around her policies, and the challenging political landscape suggest that her leadership may be more complex than a simple gender milestone.
The first female prime minister of Japan has arrived in a country facing economic slowdowns, diplomatic tensions, and social pressure for equality. How she navigates those issues, whether she can build coalitions, deliver on her promises, and balance tradition with reform will determine whether her time in office is remembered as a turning point or a conservative restoration.
