Lawmakers in Japan elected hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi as prime minister on Tuesday, making her the first woman in modern times to lead the key U.S. ally.
Takaichi, 64, the new leader of the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), was elected by lawmakers in the lower house of parliament by a vote of 237-149 over her closest rival, Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the liberal opposition Constitutional Democratic Party.
She was also elected by upper house lawmakers in a second vote of 125-46 after falling one vote shy of a majority in the first round.
Though her election is a milestone in a country where women are severely underrepresented in government, Takaichi enters office with a fragile coalition and facing a number of pressing challenges, including a visit next week by President Donald Trump.
A protege of assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi advocates a stronger military, tougher immigration policies, and the revision of Japan’s pacifist constitution. She is a veteran politician who has served as minister of economic security, internal affairs, and gender equality.
Earlier this month, Takaichi was elected leader of the LDP, which has governed Japan almost uninterrupted since World War II, after running unsuccessfully in 2021 and 2024. In her victory speech, she underlined her commitment to the job.
“I myself will throw out the term ‘work-life balance,’” Takaichi said. “I will work and work and work and work and work.”
Her ascension to prime minister was thrown into doubt, however, after a crucial partner, the centrist party Komeito, left the LDP coalition.
To ensure her victory, the LDP signed a deal on Monday with the Osaka-based Japan Innovation Party, or Ishin, that will pull its coalition further to the right.
Even with the alliance, Takaichi faces an uphill battle in parliament, where she falls short of a majority in both houses after the LDP suffered major losses in recent elections amid voter anger over party corruption scandals and the rising cost of living. Her premiership could thus end up being short-lived — much like that of her predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, who was in office for a year.
“She emerges from this a diminished leader from the get-go,” said Jeff Kingston, a professor of Asian studies and history at Temple University’s Japan campus.
Takaichi also faces an early test next week with the arrival of Trump, who is making his first trip to Asia since returning to office. He is expected to visit Malaysia and Japan before continuing to South Korea, which is hosting a major summit of Asia-Pacific economies.
“She doesn’t have a whole lot of time to get ready for a slew of diplomatic activity,” Kingston said. “But I think job one is the Japanese economy.”
Source: NBC News
