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7h ago

Sanae Takaichi Elected Japan’s First Female Prime Minister in Parliamentary Vote

She will govern without a Diet majority, relying on ad hoc support despite a new pact with the Japan Innovation Party.

Lawmakers applaud as Sanae Takaichi, standing, was elected as Japan's new prime minister during the extraordinary session of the lower house, in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.(AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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TOKYO, JAPAN - OCTOBER 04: (----EDITORIAL USE ONLY - MANDATORY CREDIT - 'YUICHI YAMAZAKI / AFP / POOL' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS----) Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected leader of Japan's ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), gestures as she leaves the party leader's office after the LDP leadership election in Tokyo, Japan, on October 04, 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. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / POOL / AFP/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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)

Overview

  • Takaichi won the Lower House vote 237–149 over opposition leader Yoshihiko Noda, securing the premiership in the first round before formal approval by the Upper House.
  • The Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party signed a coalition agreement on Monday, with Ishin backing her election but declining cabinet posts for now and taking an advisory role.
  • The LDP–Ishin bloc holds 231 of 465 seats in the Lower House and 120 of 248 in the Upper House, leaving it short of majorities and dependent on other parties to pass budgets and key bills.
  • She is assembling a Cabinet later Tuesday, with several former LDP leadership rivals tipped for senior posts, according to Japanese media reports.
  • Her agenda faces immediate tests that include a policy speech this week, economic measures to counter rising prices, and swift diplomacy with a visit by U.S. President Donald Trump and APEC engagements.