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7h ago

Sanae Takaichi Elected as Japan’s First Female Prime Minister After New Coalition Deal

She begins her term atop an LDP–Innovation Party bloc that lacks a lower‑house majority.

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TOKYO, JAPAN - OCTOBER 4: Newly-elected Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader Sanae Takaichi celebrates after winning the LDP leadership election on October 4, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) held a leadership election on October 4, 2025, to replace Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned after the party lost its parliamentary majority in both houses of the Diet for the first time since 1955. (Photo by Kim Kyung-Hoon - Pool/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Parliament elected Takaichi with 237 votes in the Lower House, avoiding a runoff, and she is set to formally take office later Tuesday after meeting the emperor.
  • The Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party signed a coalition pact on Oct 20, giving the bloc 231 Lower House seats, two short of a majority, and leaving it short in the Upper House as well.
  • Innovation Party leaders say they will not take cabinet posts for now and will instead support the government from outside, with a party lawmaker expected to serve as a special adviser.
  • The coalition agreement reflects Innovation Party priorities, including a push to scrap the consumption tax on food, ban corporate and organisational political donations, reduce Diet seats, and advance plans to designate Osaka as a secondary capital.
  • Takaichi faces immediate tests with a policy speech this week, economic relief decisions due by year-end, and a visit by U.S. President Donald Trump before regional summits.