Female PM

Sanae Takaichi became Japan's first female prime minister after winning a parliamentary vote on Tuesday.

Context

Takaichi, a 64-year-old veteran conservative lawmaker, won the position despite Japan's long history of male-dominated politics. She grew up in modest circumstances in Nara Prefecture, where her mother worked for the police department and her father worked at a car parts maker. She was first elected to Parliament in 1993 and became an ally of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated in 2022. Like Abe, Takaichi advocates for stronger defense capabilities and takes a hawkish stance on China.

Parliamentary Victory

On Tuesday, Takaichi secured 237 votes in the lower house, winning by a slim margin with support from her new governing partner, the Japan Innovation Party. She needed a runoff vote to prevail in the upper house after falling just short of a majority on the first attempt.

Her Liberal Democratic Party lost its longtime coalition partner Komeito shortly after she won the party leadership, forcing her to form a new alliance. The new coalition remains slightly short of a majority in both houses of Parliament, which will make governing difficult.

Challenges Ahead

Takaichi faces numerous immediate challenges as prime minister. She must revive her party's fortunes after recent electoral defeats that cost it its parliamentary majority. She also needs to address rising food prices, stagnant wages, and concerns about Japan's aging population. 

President Trump is expected to visit Japan next week, and the two countries are still working out details of a trade agreement. Under a deal struck in July, Japanese imports to the US now face a 15% tariff, and Tokyo agreed to invest approximately $550B in the US over the next few years.

Critics fear that her refusal to acknowledge Japanese wartime atrocities against China and Korea will alienate regional powers further isolate Japan, though she’s said she plans to maintain “stable” relations with Beijing while strengthening ties to Seoul.

Defense and US Relations

Takaichi said she would tell Trump that Japan would “strongly enhance its defense forces” while maintaining its alliance with the US. The Pentagon has said it wants US allies to spend as much as 5% of annual gross domestic product on defense, more than double Japan’s current goal of reaching 2% of GDP by March 2028. Japan spent around $55B on defense in 2024, approximately 1.4% of GDP. Takaichi and her new coalition partner both support increased military spending and restarting Japan's suspended nuclear power plants.