Japan Prepares for a New Era: Sanae Takaichi Emerges as Next Prime Minister
Sanae Takaichi, a seasoned conservative politician in Japan known for her admiration of Margaret Thatcher, is set to make history as the nation’s first female prime minister. Her recent victory in a crucial leadership election marks a pivotal moment for Japanese politics.
While her ascent shatters a long-standing gender barrier, Takaichi’s positions on women’s rights are complex and have drawn criticism from some who argue she hasn’t championed gender equality sufficiently.
Her rise to power signals a desire for change within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which she now leads. This shift comes after recent electoral setbacks and reflects the party’s strategic response to the growing influence of right-wing factions in Japan.
Here’s an overview of Takaichi’s journey, her key beliefs, and the significant hurdles she is expected to navigate as Japan’s leader.
The Background of Sanae Takaichi
Born 64 years ago in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, Sanae Takaichi’s path to politics is unique. Unlike many high-ranking Japanese politicians, she does not come from a prominent political dynasty. Her mother served as a police officer, and her father worked for an automobile company.
Her political career began with her election to Parliament in 1993. During her time at Kobe University, she was an active student, playing drums and riding a motorcycle. She later gained international experience through an internship in the United States with Representative Patricia Schroeder, a Democrat from Colorado.
Sanae Takaichi’s Political Trajectory
In the early 2000s, Takaichi forged a strong alliance with Shinzo Abe, who would later become Japan’s longest-serving prime minister before his assassination in 2022. Like Abe, she has been a vocal proponent of amending Japan’s pacifist Constitution, a stance that remains controversial in a country historically cautious about military expansion.
Takaichi is among a select few women who have reached the highest echelons of Japanese government. Her experience includes serving as a government minister, overseeing vital portfolios such as economic security, internal affairs, and communications. She previously sought the leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party in 2021 and 2024.
Her recent triumph came after a two-round election within the LDP, involving both lawmakers and grassroots members. She emerged victorious, surpassing four male contenders to secure the party presidency.
Key Policy Positions
Sanae Takaichi is recognized for her firm stance on national security and economic policy. She has consistently criticized China’s expanding military and economic influence and advocates for strengthening Japan’s defense capabilities. Economically, she is a staunch supporter of ‘Abenomics,’ a strategy focused on low interest rates and significant government spending.
During her campaign, Takaichi tapped into growing anti-immigrant sentiment, proposing a ‘command center’ to manage issues related to foreign nationals. She also publicly blamed tourists for misbehavior, citing incidents like kicking deer in her home prefecture of Nara and doing pull-ups on sacred shrine gates.
Echoing the views of Abe and other conservatives, Takaichi believes that historical accounts of Japanese wartime atrocities have been exaggerated. She frequently visits Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, a memorial for Japan’s war dead, including Class A war criminals from World War II. This shrine remains a sensitive point in diplomatic relations with China and South Korea.
Following her leadership victory, Takaichi described the shrine as a ‘facility to console the war dead and a shrine of peace.’ She indicated she would make an ‘appropriate decision’ regarding future visits, focusing on how to honor the fallen and pray for peace.
Views on Women’s Rights
Takaichi has faced criticism from feminist groups for policies perceived to undermine women’s rights, such as her support for a law mandating married couples share a surname. Conversely, she has advocated for expanding women’s healthcare and has pledged to appoint a substantial number of women to her cabinet. Currently, only two women hold positions in the 20-person cabinet, with women comprising roughly one-fifth of Parliament.
Takaichi frequently names former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as a personal role model, once referring to Thatcher’s memoir as ‘My treasure.’
Anticipated Challenges
Takaichi’s first challenge will be to secure sufficient support from lawmakers in Japan’s Parliament, the Diet, to officially become prime minister of the coalition government. The LDP’s recent electoral losses have left it in an unusual minority position in both houses, meaning she will need to build alliances with other political groups.
Despite these hurdles, Takaichi is expected to eventually lead a nation facing rapid change. She will need to tackle pressing issues such as rising food prices, stagnant wages, China’s military expansion in the South China Sea, and the demographic pressures of Japan’s aging population.
Furthermore, she will need to establish a working relationship with President Trump, who is scheduled to visit Asia this month, as Japan and the United States continue to negotiate the specifics of a new trade agreement.
Addressing her colleagues after her win, Takaichi pledged her full dedication to the Japanese public. “I’ll give up work-life balance,” she stated. “I’ll be humble.”