Sanae Takaichi Elected LDP Leader, Set to Become Japan’s First Female Prime Minister

Tokyo / New Delhi. October 4, 2025

Sanae Takaichi has rewritten Japan’s political history. The former economic security minister was elected leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Saturday, a victory that places her on track to become Japan’s first female prime minister within two weeks.

Takaichi’s rise is groundbreaking not only because she is the first woman to lead the LDP in its 70-year history, but also because she is stepping into one of the most demanding roles in global politics. She secured her position in a run-off against Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, after none of the five leadership contenders managed to win a majority in the initial round of voting.

A lawmaker from Nara Prefecture and long considered a close ally of the late Shinzo Abe, Takaichi is viewed as a fiscal dove who favors stability while also embracing elements of Abe’s conservative political vision. Her leadership marks a generational and symbolic turning point for Japanese politics, a landscape long dominated by male figures.

In her victory speech, she did not dwell on personal triumph. Instead, she struck a tone of urgency: “Rather than feeling happy right now, I truly believe that the real challenge lies ahead, and there are mountains of work we must tackle together with everyone. There are numerous policies, many of which must be implemented swiftly.”

Perhaps most striking was her rallying call to party members, where she emphasized discipline over comfort: “Work, work, work, work, work — that is what I will do. I sincerely ask each and every one of you to work tirelessly in your respective fields for the sake of Japan and to rebuild the LDP.”

For Japan, her ascent symbolizes more than breaking a political glass ceiling. Takaichi will inherit pressing challenges such as steering economic recovery, addressing demographic decline, maintaining fiscal balance, and navigating a complex security environment in East Asia. Observers are watching closely to see how her leadership style, influenced by her association with Abe but shaped by her own convictions will define the country’s next chapter.

As Japan prepares to welcome its first female prime minister, the nation stands at the threshold of change. Whether Takaichi’s hard-driving approach will energize the LDP and inspire confidence among Japanese citizens remains to be seen, but her election has already ensured her place in history.