Post by : Rameen Ariff

Sanae Takaichi, once a drummer in a college heavy metal band, has been elected as the leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and is poised to become the country’s first female prime minister. At 64, Takaichi represents Japan’s staunch conservative faction and emphasizes strong national defense, economic security, and strict immigration policies. Analysts note that while her election marks a milestone for women in politics, she does not identify as a feminist and has shown little interest in challenging traditional patriarchal norms.

Takaichi won the LDP leadership race by defeating younger, high-profile candidate Shinjiro Koizumi, the 44-year-old son of a former prime minister, as well as the experienced but less charismatic Yoshimasa Hayashi. Once confirmed by Japan’s parliament—a step seen as highly likely—she will become Japan’s fifth prime minister in as many years. Her leadership comes at a time when voter support for the LDP has been declining due to rising inflation and a recent political scandal, while nationalist and anti-immigration parties like Sanseito have been gaining ground.

During the campaign, Takaichi took a tough stance on immigration and foreign visitors, positioning herself as a protector of Japanese culture and national security. She previously served as Japan’s economic security minister and has been a vocal critic of China’s military expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. Takaichi has also been a frequent visitor to the Yasukuni Shrine, a site that honors Japan’s war dead, including convicted war criminals, which has drawn criticism from other Asian nations. Despite this, she softened her rhetoric during the leadership campaign compared to previous years, when her pledge to visit Yasukuni as prime minister contributed to her electoral loss to Shigeru Ishiba.

Takaichi’s political inspiration is the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, whom she considers her hero. Aligning herself with the conservative wing of the LDP and the supporters of assassinated ex-prime minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi advocates for policies such as aggressive monetary easing, significant fiscal spending, and the continuation of “Abenomics.” These economic strategies aim to stimulate growth and stabilize Japan’s economy, but analysts warn they could have significant effects on markets.

While her election is a milestone for women in Japanese politics, Takaichi has shown little inclination to actively challenge gender-based norms. She opposes revising the law requiring married couples to share the same surname, a rule that disproportionately affects women. Nonetheless, she has pledged to improve gender representation in her cabinet, aiming for levels comparable to Nordic countries. Japan ranks 118 out of 148 countries in the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Gender Gap Report, primarily due to the underrepresentation of women in government, whereas Iceland, Finland, and Norway rank at the top.

Takaichi has also expressed strong concerns regarding crime and the economic influence of foreigners in Japan. She has called for stricter regulations and has indicated that she may renegotiate trade deals with the United States if they are perceived to be unfair to Japan. Her leadership is expected to focus heavily on national security, economic stability, and the promotion of conservative values.

Sanae Takaichi’s rise to Japan’s premiership represents both a historic step for women and a continuation of conservative governance in the country. Her policies and decisions will likely shape Japan’s domestic and foreign affairs, particularly in the areas of defense, economic security, and immigration, while her approach to gender issues may influence the pace of social reforms.

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