Japan elects Sanae Takaichi as its first female prime minister

By Alex Fernandez

Japan’s parliament, known as the National Diet (ND), voted to elect Sanae Takaichi as the country’s new prime minister on Oct. 21, 2025. She becomes Japan’s first female prime minister, succeeding Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned in September 2025 after his party suffered internal divisions and declining public approval. Her election comes in a country where women hold fewer than 10% of seats in the House of Representatives, according to Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

The prime minister of Japan is chosen by members of the National Diet, which consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. Takaichi secured 237 votes out of 465 in the House of Representatives and 125 votes to 46 in the House of Councillors, winning a clear majority in both chambers. She received majority backing from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner, the Komeito Party, which together hold a dominant share of parliamentary seats. The vote reaffirmed the LDP’s postwar dominance in Japanese politics, where leadership transitions are decided within party ranks rather than through direct public election.

Japan is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy, where the emperor serves as a ceremonial head of state and the prime minister leads the executive branch.The LDP has governed Japan for most of the post-war era, shaping policies on economic recovery, defense, and regional diplomacy.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan’s nationwide core consumer price index rose a little over 3% in July 2025, remaining above the Bank of Japan’s 2% target which reflects the ongoing inflation and public concern over living costs, exacerbating what contributed to now-former Prime Minister Ishiba’s resignation and shaped the political climate for Takaichi’s election.

Takaichi served in several cabinet positions, including minister of internal affairs and communications, and previously chaired the LDP Policy Research Council. Her campaign emphasized defense readiness, economic revitalization, and support for families and working women. She pledged to maintain Japan’s security alliance with the United States while strengthening domestic innovation and energy policy. In her first address after being designated prime minister, Takaichi said:

“Bolstered by a strong and unwavering belief in the latent power and vitality of Japan and the Japanese people, I will dedicate myself completely to discharging my duty of forging a path for Japan's future.” She added that she would “strive to build a strong economy, turning people’s unease and apprehension over their current lives and the future into hope,” and reaffirmed her commitment to “restoring Japanese diplomacy that flourishes on the world’s center stage.”

Japanese citizens had mixed feelings over the new female prime minister. Supporters hailed her election as a historic breakthrough for women in politics, while critics questioned whether her leadership would bring meaningful change to Japan’s long-standing political structure.Leaders from the United States, South Korea, and Taiwan offered congratulations, emphasizing cooperation on regional security and diplomacy.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung wrote that he looks forward to “constructive talks [with Prime Minister Takaichi] when we meet at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit,” adding on his official Facebook page that Japan and South Korea’s relationship “is more important than ever amid increasing uncertainties in the international situation.”

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te wrote in Japanese that Takaichi is an ‘unwavering friend’ of Taiwan, expressing anticipation for Japan and Taiwan to further deepen their cooperation to protect the security, stability, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.

The U.S. State Department released an official statement saying, “The United States congratulates Takaichi Sanae on her election by the Diet as Prime Minister of Japan. We look forward to working with her government to further strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance and realize our shared goals. Together, we will deepen cooperation, build economic prosperity, and strengthen regional security.” The statement also added, “We express appreciation to former Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru for his commitment to pursuing a new golden age for U.S.-Japan relations and upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration begins amid ongoing economic, demographic and regional challenges, as the government works to maintain stability and continuity in domestic and foreign policy. In her first major policy speech, she pledged to accelerate Japan’s annual military spending to 2% of GDP by March 2026 and mobilize public-private investment in advanced industries, signaling her government’s confidence in combining strategic innovation with fiscal discipline.