Sanae Takaichi is on the verge of becoming Japan’s first female prime minister after being elected leader of the ruling conservative party. The 64-year-old politician, known for her conservative stance, previous roles as a government minister, and even a stint as a heavy metal drummer, is one of Japan’s most recognizable political figures, though also a controversial one.
Takaichi faces a challenging political landscape, including a sluggish economy, rising inflation, and stagnant wages, which have impacted households across the nation. She will also need to manage the country’s relationship with the United States, particularly concerning a tariff agreement established by the previous administration.
A key priority for Takaichi will be unifying the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has been shaken by scandals and internal divisions in recent years. This comes after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stepped down following a series of electoral setbacks that saw the LDP-led coalition lose its parliamentary majority.
According to Professor Jeff Kingston, director of Asian Studies at Temple University in Tokyo, Takaichi may struggle to mend these internal rifts. He noted that Takaichi aligns with the LDP’s more hardline faction, which believes the party has drifted too far from its core conservative principles. While this position might appeal to right-wing voters, it could alienate a broader electorate.
Takaichi has often cited Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s first female prime minister, as an inspiration. However, Kingston points out that, like Thatcher, Takaichi is not seen as a unifying figure and has not significantly championed women’s rights. Takaichi holds conservative views on social issues, opposing legislation that would allow women to retain their maiden names after marriage and also opposing same-sex marriage.
As a protégé of the late former leader Shinzo Abe, Takaichi plans to revive his economic policies, known as Abenomics, which emphasized high government spending and low borrowing costs. She also holds a hawkish stance on national security and aims to revise Japan’s pacifist constitution. Her regular visits to the controversial Yasukuni shrine, which commemorates Japan’s war dead, including convicted war criminals, have also drawn attention.
While Takaichi is likely to be confirmed as prime minister by parliament, the ruling party’s weakened position means this succession may not be as straightforward as in previous instances.