Japan made history on Tuesday as Sanae Takaichi was appointed the nation’s first female prime minister, following a dramatic last-minute coalition agreement that secured her the top job. Known for her staunchly conservative views and hardline stance on China, the 64-year-old former heavy metal drummer succeeds Shigeru Ishiba to become Japan’s fifth premier in as many years. Takaichi, who has long admired former British leader Margaret Thatcher, bowed repeatedly to lawmakers after winning a narrow lower house vote before being confirmed by the upper house in a runoff.
Takaichi’s ascent comes amid political turbulence for the long-dominant Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which she now leads. Her appointment follows the collapse of the LDP’s coalition with the Komeito party, which withdrew over concerns about her conservative agenda and an ongoing funding scandal. Forced to rebuild her majority, Takaichi struck a late-night deal with the right-leaning Japan Innovation Party (JIP), whose platform includes cutting the consumption tax on food to zero and banning corporate donations.
As she prepares to formally take office after meeting the emperor, Takaichi faces a daunting to-do list — from a faltering economy to an upcoming visit by U.S. President Donald Trump. Pledging to “make Japan’s economy stronger” and champion future generations, she has also promised to form a cabinet with “Nordic” levels of female representation, a sharp departure from Japan’s male-dominated political tradition. Her rise marks a historic — and potentially transformative — moment for the world’s third-largest economy.
