Tokyo: Japan is on the brink of history after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) elected Sanae Takaichi as its new leader, positioning her to become the country’s first female prime minister.
Takaichi, 64, a staunch conservative and longtime ally of the late Shinzo Abe, defeated her moderate rival Shinjiro Koizumi in a tense runoff vote at the LDP headquarters on Saturday. Her victory follows the resignation of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who quit after just a year in office amid funding scandals and mounting criticism over the government’s handling of inflation and cost-of-living pressures.
BREAKING: Ex-economic security minister Sanae Takaichi on Saturday was elected the first female LDP leader — and is almost sure to become Japan’s first female PM — after defeating farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff. https://t.co/4XD2eppQY1
— The Japan Times (@japantimes) October 4, 2025
Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Arena
Known for her right-wing credentials and nationalistic outlook, Takaichi’s win shatters a political glass ceiling in Japan, a country where female leadership has long been absent in top government roles. Inspired by former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, she has pledged to deliver a “strong and prosperous Japan” on the global stage.
“Recently, I have heard harsh voices from across the country saying they don’t know what the LDP stands for anymore,” she said moments before the final vote. “That sense of urgency drove me. I want to turn people’s anxieties about their daily lives and the future into hope.”
Challenges Ahead
Takaichi inherits a bruised party that has stumbled through two electoral setbacks in the past year, eroding its once-solid grip on voters. Beyond mending the LDP’s image, she faces pressing challenges at home — from tackling rising living costs and an aging population to restoring trust after financial scandals.
Abroad, she must navigate a tense regional environment marked by China’s growing assertiveness and North Korea’s missile threats, while balancing Japan’s crucial alliance with the United States.
Next Stop: Parliament
With the LDP commanding a majority in the National Diet, Takaichi’s confirmation as prime minister in a parliamentary vote scheduled for mid-October is all but certain. When sworn in, she will not only make history as Japan’s first woman to hold the office but also set the course for whether her bold promises can translate into political stability and renewed confidence in her party.
