Tokyo, Japan – October 5, 2025

A historic moment for Japan arrived yesterday as the country’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) elected Sanae Takaichi as its new president. With the LDP maintaining the largest number of seats in the Diet (Japan’s parliament), Takaichi is now overwhelmingly poised to become Japan’s first female Prime Minister in a parliamentary vote expected in mid-October. This major shift in leadership, following the resignation of former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, is an exciting and politically charged event, placing a staunchly conservative nationalist at the helm of the world’s fourth-largest economy.

The leadership race within the deeply male-dominated LDP concluded with a run-off vote on Saturday, where the 64-year-old former Economic Security Minister, Takaichi, defeated her main rival, the moderate Shinjiro Koizumi. Takaichi’s victory, which secured her the party presidency for the remainder of the three-year term until September 2027, has been seen as a move by the LDP to placate its conservative base and demonstrate a clear vision for change after a period of electoral setbacks and slumping public support.

The Rise of a Hardline Conservative

Sanae Takaichi’s ascendancy marks a sharp shift to the right for Japan’s political landscape. Known as a hardline conservative and a protégé of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi is a long-serving member of the House of Representatives, first elected in 1993. Her political career has included ministerial posts in key areas such as economic security and internal affairs, providing her with a depth of experience for the top job. An admirer of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi’s vision for Japan prioritises a “Japan First” foreign policy and a hawkish security stance.

The new leader takes charge at a time of significant domestic and international pressure, facing challenges that include:

 * A Faltering Economy and Inflation: Households are struggling with high prices and stagnant wages, an issue that became a central point of the leadership race. Takaichi supports a continuation of aggressive fiscal expansion policies, often referred to as “Abenomics,” to revive the economy.

 * A Fractured Political Landscape: Takaichi must now work to heal deep internal rifts within the LDP while also building a working majority coalition in the Diet, as the LDP-led coalition no longer holds majorities in both chambers of parliament.

 * Geopolitical Security: With escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region and the constant menace of North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, Takaichi has pledged to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and advocate for stronger defensive capabilities, even suggesting a debate on allowing the use of U.S. nuclear weapons in an emergency.

Takaichi’s Policy and Diplomatic Challenges

One of the most immediate diplomatic tests for the new leader will be a likely summit with U.S. President Donald Trump at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in South Korea later this month. This meeting is expected to feature a fresh wave of pressure on Japan to significantly increase its defence spending and potentially revisit investment and trade agreements between the two countries.

On the domestic front, Takaichi’s socially conservative views are expected to generate controversy. She is known for her opposition to same-sex marriage and her support for maintaining male-only succession for the Imperial Family. Furthermore, her repeated visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine—seen by some of Japan’s neighbours, particularly China and South Korea, as a symbol of the country’s past militarism—risk damaging fragile diplomatic relations in the region.

However, the 64-year-old politician also represents a major step forward in breaking the political “glass ceiling,” having promised to appoint a Cabinet with “Nordic” levels of female representation, a significant jump from the minimal female presence in previous Cabinets.

Addressing LDP lawmakers after her victory, Takaichi acknowledged the monumental task ahead: “Rather than feeling happy, I truly feel that the real work begins now. I will strive to fire up the LDP and make it a positive party, which turns people’s anxieties into hope.” With the parliamentary vote fast approaching, the world watches to see if Japan’s first female leader can successfully navigate the country through its complex domestic and international challenges.

Headline Points on Japan’s New Leader

 * Historic Victory: Sanae Takaichi was elected President of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), positioning her to become Japan’s first female Prime Minister.

 * Political Shift: The 64-year-old is a hardline conservative and nationalist, promising a shift to the right in Japan’s political direction and foreign policy.

 * Economic Strategy: Takaichi is a staunch supporter of former PM Shinzo Abe’s expansionary economic stimulus policies, known as “Abenomics,” to combat inflation and a sluggish economy.

 * Foreign Policy Focus: Her priorities include strengthening the Japan-U.S. security alliance, advocating for increased national defensive capabilities, and promoting a “Japan First” foreign policy.

 * Diplomatic Test: The new leader will face an immediate diplomatic challenge with a likely meeting with US President Donald Trump, who is expected to press Japan on trade and defence spending.

 * Regional Tensions: Takaichi’s conservative stance and controversial visits to the Yasukuni Shrine risk reigniting tensions with key neighbours, particularly China and South Korea.

 * Next Step: A parliamentary vote to formally confirm her as the new Prime Minister, succeeding Shigeru Ishiba, is anticipated in mid-October.