Tokyo, Japan -Japan’s National Diet on Tuesday elected Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first-ever female prime minister, marking a historic shift in the nation’s political landscape.
Takaichi, 64, a conservative lawmaker and long-time ally of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, secured a majority vote following the sudden resignation of her predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, who stepped down amid a wave of internal party dissent and dwindling public support.
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) backed Takaichi’s nomination after forming a new alliance with the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin no Kai) to replace its collapsed partnership with Komeito. The vote ended with Takaichi receiving 237 votes in the Lower House, enough to confirm her leadership.
Her appointment makes her not only Japan’s first woman to hold the top office but also one of the few female leaders in Asia’s major economies. However, analysts say Takaichi faces immediate challenges, including economic stagnation, rising living costs, and tensions in East Asia.
Despite her trailblazing milestone, Takaichi’s conservative stance and limited advocacy for gender reforms have drawn mixed reactions. She is expected to unveil her cabinet lineup later this week as Japan looks ahead to a new political chapter.
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