Sanae Takaichi became Japan's first female prime minister on Tuesday after winning a runoff election in Parliament. The 64-year-old secured 125 votes in the Upper House and 237 in the Lower House, surpassing the majorities required in both chambers. Takaichi will complete former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's term, which runs through September 2027.
The Nara Prefecture representative entered politics in 1993 as an independent lawmaker, but joined the Liberal Democratic Party three years later. She served as Economic Security Minister from 2022 to 2024 and holds the record as Japan's longest-serving Minister for Internal Affairs. Takaichi leads the LDP's conservative wing and won the party leadership on Saturday with 185 votes against rival Shinjiro Koizumi's 156.
The new prime minister faces significant challenges, as economic stagnation, rising prices, and a weakened yen have eroded public confidence in the LDP. The party must navigate minority rule and rebuild trust with skeptical voters. Former Justice Minister Midori Matsushima said Takaichi's historic victory would inspire young women and those without political family backgrounds.
The Nara Prefecture representative entered politics in 1993 as an independent lawmaker, but joined the Liberal Democratic Party three years later. She served as Economic Security Minister from 2022 to 2024 and holds the record as Japan's longest-serving Minister for Internal Affairs. Takaichi leads the LDP's conservative wing and won the party leadership on Saturday with 185 votes against rival Shinjiro Koizumi's 156.
The new prime minister faces significant challenges, as economic stagnation, rising prices, and a weakened yen have eroded public confidence in the LDP. The party must navigate minority rule and rebuild trust with skeptical voters. Former Justice Minister Midori Matsushima said Takaichi's historic victory would inspire young women and those without political family backgrounds.
