Japan made history on Tuesday as Sanae Takaichi was elected the country’s first female prime minister, breaking decades of male dominance in national politics. Her election marks a major milestone for gender equality, but it also points to a significant turn toward conservative governance in the world’s third-largest economy.
Takaichi, a staunch conservative and close ally of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has long admired Britain’s former leader Margaret Thatcher. Political analysts expect her leadership to mirror Abe’s policies—especially his economic strategies aimed at reviving Japan’s sluggish economy through aggressive government spending and financial stimulus. With Japan facing persistent inflation and slow growth, her administration is likely to prioritize restoring financial stability while appealing to traditional conservative voters.
While her victory represents a historic breakthrough for women in Japan, Takaichi’s cabinet choices have drawn some criticism. Despite earlier promises to promote gender diversity in leadership, she appointed only two women to her cabinet—a decision that has disappointed advocates for greater female representation in government.
In Tuesday’s parliamentary election, Takaichi secured 237 votes in the 465-seat lower house, followed by a similar margin in the upper house vote. Her success was solidified through an agreement between her ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)—which has dominated Japan’s postwar politics—and the right-wing Japan Innovation Party (Ishin).
Takaichi elected Japan’s premier, shattering glass ceiling with hard-right turn
Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Female Prime Minister, Signaling a Conservative Shift in Politics
