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Japan appointed its first woman prime minister on Tuesday as Sanae Takaichi, a China hawk and social conservative, secured an 11th-hour coalition deal.
Takaichi, Japan’s fifth premier in as many years, will lead a minority government and faces a full agenda, including a scheduled visit by US President Donald Trump next week.
The lower house of parliament elected the 64-year-old, an admirer of Margaret Thatcher, after she narrowly won a first-round vote.
The upper house confirmed her in a runoff, and she will formally take office after meeting the emperor.
The former heavy metal drummer became head of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on October 4. Six days later, the Komeito party, uncomfortable with Takaichi’s conservative views and an LDP slush fund scandal, withdrew from the coalition.
She subsequently allied with the right-leaning Japan Innovation Party (JIP), which signed on Monday evening. The JIP seeks to abolish corporate donations, lower food taxes to zero, and reduce the number of MPs.
Takaichi pledged to “make Japan’s economy stronger and reshape Japan as a country that can be responsible for future generations.”
Pensioner Toru Takahashi, 76, said she is “strong-minded, regardless of being a woman,” adding that she “is clear about what’s right and wrong.”
She has promised a cabinet with “Nordic” levels of female representation, up from two under outgoing premier Shigeru Ishiba.
Potential appointments include right-wing Satsuki Katayama as finance minister and half-American Kimi Onoda as economic security minister. Japan ranks 118th out of 148 in the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Global Gender Gap Report, with just 15 per cent of lower house MPs being women.
Takaichi has spoken openly about women’s health and menopause, but opposes revising the 19th-century law requiring married couples to share a surname and wants male-only imperial succession to remain.
Citizens in Nara expressed cautious optimism, highlighting hopes for improved childcare policies and support for women returning to work.
Details remain unclear on Japan’s proposed $500 billion investment plan as part of its trade deal with Washington. Trump also expects Japan to halt Russian energy imports and increase defence spending.
Takaichi’s other challenges include reversing population decline, boosting the flatlining economy, and restoring LDP fortunes after poor election results.
Previously a regular visitor to the Yasukuni shrine, Takaichi has recently toned down her rhetoric, avoiding the shrine last week.
She has also softened her stance on China while advocating for closer security cooperation with Taiwan.
Being in a minority government, her coalition will require support from other parties to pass legislation, with rising populist forces such as Sanseito further complicating the political landscape.
