Tokyo – Sanae Takaichi has been elected as Japan’s Prime Minister today, becoming the first woman to hold the office in the country’s history. This marks a new milestone in Japanese politics, achieved at a time when the nation is grappling with a severe political crisis.
The 64-year-old Takaichi, a long-time member of the right-wing faction within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has secured the position by forming a coalition with the Japan Innovation Party. She takes over from former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned just this past Tuesday after a one-year tenure, ending a three-month political deadlock that followed the LDP’s crushing defeat in July.
Although Takaichi has been sworn in, her coalition still falls slightly short of a full majority in both houses of parliament. To pass legislation, she will need to win over other opposition groups.
Who is the ‘Iron Lady’ Takaichi?
Often regarded as a protégé of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Sanae Takaichi is known as Japan’s ‘Iron Lady’.
Early Life and Inspiration: Born in 1961 in Nara Prefecture to non-political parents—her father was an office worker and her mother a police officer—Takaichi found her political inspiration during the peak of US-Japan trade tensions in the 1980s.
Political Career: She first won a parliamentary seat with the LDP in 1996. Since then, she has been elected 10 times and has held several key cabinet posts, including Minister for Economic Security, Minister of Internal Affairs, and Minister for Gender Equality.
Personal Side: In a interesting personal detail, Takaichi was once a heavy-metal drummer and a biker. She considers former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher her political idol and has been a staunch adherent of Shinzo Abe’s conservative policies.
Stance on Foreign Relations
In foreign affairs, Takaichi is known for her hardline stance. She is considered tough on China and wary of South Korea. She is a revisionist regarding Japan’s wartime history and is a regular visitor to the Yasukuni Shrine, a practice that has consistently angered neighboring China.
