by: Chloe Wilson

Culture Editor

On Monday, Oct. 20, after forging a new partnership with a minor party, Sanae Takaichi is set to become Japan’s first female prime minister. Takaichi’s party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), allied with the smaller rightwing Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party). This party shares Takaichi’s firm view on China and limitations on immigration. Takaichi explained to Ishin co-leader Hirofumi Yoshimura, “I’m very much looking forward to working with you on efforts to make Japan’s economy stronger and to reshape Japan as a country that can be responsible for future generations.” 

This alliance ends a nearly month-long quarrel of Takaichi’s efforts to become Japan’s first female prime minister.  After winning the vote to replace the previous Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, Takaichi’s win was assured. However, when Komeito, LDP’s companion of 26 years, left the affiliation, it was uncertain whether Takaichi would take the position or not. The two parties frequently disagree, which led to difficulty in choosing a compromising candidate. Komeito, supported by the Buddhist group Soka Gakkai, criticized Takaichi’s hardline security stance and accused the LDP of neglecting to deal with a damaging funding scandal.

The prime minister grew up close to the capital of Nara in Japan. Acknowledging the hardships of politics as a woman in Japan, Takaichi has nevertheless overcome these struggles as she is currently the leader of the LDP. When Takaichi was a young adult in the 1970s, she commuted six hours by public transit from her family’s home to attend university. Some of her interests included motorcycles and heavy metal music, listening to bands such as Iron Maiden and Deep Purple. As a young woman, she hoped to one day move out of her family’s home, but her mother prohibited her from leaving before she was married. Contrary to her mother’s wishes, Takaichi explained in a 1992 memoir, “I dreamed of having my own castle.” 

She has expressed hopes of working closely with President Trump, but communicates the concern of Japan’s reliance on the United States. Takaichi often wears blue suits to celebrate former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who is Takaichi’s hero. She was mentored by Shinzo Abe, who was Japan’s longest-serving prime minister and was assassinated in 2022. 

Takaichi’s goals include shifting Japan further to the right in response to a recent power movement with some similarities to President Trump’s MAGA movement. She has firmly promoted the message “Japan is back.” According to journalist Yoshiko Sakurai, “She wants to make Japan strong and prosperous for the people of Japan and for the world.”

(Sources: The New York Times, The Guardian)