Sanae Takaichi, aged 64, hails from Nara Prefecture and graduated from Kobe University, where she played drums in a heavy metal band during her studies. After graduating in 1984, she joined the Matsushita Institute of Management and Public Policy and was sent for training at the office of a Democratic Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives. She also worked as a TV presenter and writer before entering Japanese politics.
Takaichi’s appointment came as a result of reshaping political alliances in the country. After the Komeito Party ended its 26-year partnership with the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) following scandals related to political donations, the ruling party was forced to form a new alliance with the Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin no Kai), which gave Takaichi the required majority to be elected by the parliament.
Takaichi is known as a staunch nationalist with very conservative leanings, advocating for strengthening the country’s defense capabilities and reconsidering Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, which enshrines the state’s peaceful nature. She also supports tightening immigration policies, and in the economic field, she continues the expansive fiscal approach established by the late Shinzo Abe.
Despite belonging to Abe’s faction within the Liberal Democratic Party, which adopted a flexible and pragmatic approach to dealing with Russia, Takaichi supported imposing sanctions on Moscow after the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine. Estimates suggest her government will continue to strengthen ties with the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
The path to party leadership was not easy for Takaichi, as she succeeded in her third attempt to lead the Liberal Democratic Party. In October 2025, she won the party’s internal elections, defeating prominent figures such as Shinjiro Koizumi and Toshimitsu Motegi. Her new government is expected to include some of her former competitors, signaling her desire to maintain party unity.
The Japanese public generally welcomed the election of the first woman to the position of Prime Minister, despite concerns about her nationalist tendencies. Takaichi faces complex issues, notably the economic crisis caused by rising prices and low income, along with the accelerating pace of population aging, and the need to restore public trust damaged by recent corruption scandals. Her government must also adapt to the new alliance with the Japan Innovation Party, making the upcoming phase a true test of her political leadership.
