News Brief
Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Woman PM; Faces Trade, Economy, And Security Challenges
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Japan appointed its first woman prime minister on Tuesday (21 October) as Sanae Takaichi, a China hawk and social conservative, won an unexpected majority in the first round of parliamentary voting, NDTV reported.
She will formally take office after meeting the emperor.
Takaichi, 64, becomes Japan’s fifth premier in as many years and leads a minority government with a packed agenda, including a scheduled visit by US President Donald Trump next week.
An admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi became head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on 4 October.
Six days later, the Komeito party left the coalition due to her conservative views and a party slush fund scandal, forcing Takaichi to ally with the reformist, right-leaning Japan Innovation Party (JIP).
The JIP seeks to reduce MPs, abolish corporate donations, and lower the consumption tax on food to zero.
Takaichi pledged Monday (20 October) to “make Japan's economy stronger, and reshape Japan as a country that can be responsible for future generations.”
The new PM plans a cabinet with “Nordic” levels of women, significantly higher than the two under outgoing premier Shigeru Ishiba.
She has spoken about women’s health and menopause, but opposes revising the law requiring married couples to share the same surname, and supports male-only imperial succession.
Key challenges for Takaichi include finalising a trade deal with Washington, addressing population decline, reviving the economy, and managing Japan’s relations with China.
She previously described Japan as “completely looked down on by China” but has since moderated her rhetoric.
Despite minority status in both houses, Takaichi’s victory has boosted Japanese stocks.
