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15m ago

LDP Elects Sanae Takaichi, Putting Japan on Track for First Woman Prime Minister

Confirmation is expected in mid-October with no working majority secured.

Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), poses in the party leader's office after the LDP leadership election in Tokyo, Japan, October 4, 2025. Conservative Sanae Takaichi hailed a "new era" on October 4 after winning the leadership of Japan's ruling party, putting her on course to become the country's first woman prime minister. Yuichi Yamazaki/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
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Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected leader of Japan's ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), holds a press conference after the LDP presidential election in Tokyo, Japan, October 4, 2025. Conservative Sanae Takaichi hailed a "new era" on October 4 after winning the leadership of Japan's ruling party, putting her on course to become the country's first woman prime minister. Yuichi Yamazaki/Pool via REUTERS
Traders clap as the Nikkei index closes at an all-time high, at the dealing room of Nomura Securities in Tokyo, Japan, August 12, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Overview

  • Takaichi defeated Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff, winning 149 lawmaker votes and 36 prefectural chapter votes to Koizumi’s 145 and 11.
  • After election setbacks left the ruling bloc short in both chambers, she must expand or forge coalitions, with Komeito and other parties in play.
  • A protégé of Shinzo Abe, she backs stronger defense, expansionary fiscal policy and tougher immigration rules, and opposes same‑sex marriage and separate married surnames.
  • Her regular visits to Yasukuni Shrine and hawkish stance on China may complicate ties with Beijing and Seoul and could test cooperation with centrist partners.
  • She inherits contentious U.S. tariff-and-investment arrangements and a possible late‑October meeting with President Trump has been reported, underscoring immediate diplomatic pressures.