On October 21, 2025, Japan’s parliament made history, electing Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first female prime minister. At age 64, she will formally assume office after meeting the emperor — a constitutional tradition in Japan — marking a symbolic and literal inauguration of a new era.
While the moment is being widely celebrated, it is fraught with contradictions, challenges, and uncertainties. Below is a deep dive into the significance, the hurdles, and what to watch for in the coming days.
From LDP Leadership to the Premiership
Takaichi first secured the leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on October 4, 2025, becoming the first woman to lead the party.
In that internal election, she outpaced longtime favorites like Shinjiro Koizumi, riding a base of ideological support within the party.
However, her path to the prime minister’s office was not smooth. The LDP’s traditional coalition partner, Komeito, withdrew support, citing discomfort with her leadership and ideological stances.secure a viable majority, Takaichi negotiated a coalition with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party (Ishin no Kai) — a pact that became crucial for her election. In the Lower House vote, she won 237 out of 465 seats — a narrow but decisive margin above the 233 needed for a majority. The next step is formal affirmation by the Upper House and then the swearing-in.
