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4m ago

Sanae Takaichi Set to Become Japan’s First Female Prime Minister as Coalition Tensions Rise

Komeito’s warnings put the governing alliance in doubt ahead of a mid‑October Diet vote.

Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), gestures as she leaves the party leader's office after the LDP leadership election in Tokyo, Japan, October 4, 2025. Yuichi Yamazaki/Pool via REUTERS
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. Yuichi Yamazaki/Pool via REUTERS
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
U.S. Dollar and Japan Yen notes are seen in this June 22, 2017 illustration photo. REUTERS/Thomas White/Illustration

Overview

  • Komeito’s leader told Takaichi his party has “big worry and concern” about her positions and signaled the coalition will not continue unless she moderates.
  • Parliament is expected to convene in mid‑October to select the next prime minister, with the LDP still the largest force but lacking working majorities in both houses.
  • Takaichi is moving to form a leadership team, with Taro Aso expected to be deputy prime minister and Shunichi Suzuki eyed for LDP secretary‑general, as Aso opens talks with the Democratic Party for the People.
  • She pledges an Abenomics‑style push with aggressive spending and possible tax cuts to ease rising prices, while a Kyodo poll found 68.4% of respondents have high expectations for her but oppose elevating lawmakers tied to slush‑fund scandals.
  • She says she will honor recent tariff‑investment arrangements with the United States involving roughly $550 billion in Japanese commitments, with a potential Trump visit later this month posing an early diplomatic test.