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Sanae Takaichi Wins LDP Leadership, On Track to Become Japan’s First Female Prime Minister

Her next test is securing coalition backing for 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 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
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 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

Overview

  • Sanae Takaichi defeated Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff for LDP president, taking 149 lawmaker votes and 36 chapter votes to his 145 and 11.
  • Komeito signaled “big worry and concern” over her ultra-conservative stances and warned the coalition may not continue, prompting outreach to opposition parties as LDP heavyweight Taro Aso met a Democratic Party for the People official.
  • The Diet is expected to choose the next prime minister around Oct. 15, leaving Takaichi to assemble the votes needed to clinch confirmation in a minority parliament.
  • A close ally of Shinzo Abe, she favors Abenomics-style fiscal expansion and has flagged tax relief and tighter rules on foreign land purchases to ease living-cost pressures.
  • After suggesting a possible do-over, she now says she will honor the recent U.S. tariffs-for-investment deal tied to Japan’s $550 billion pledge, and a meeting with President Donald Trump later this month is possible during his Asia trip.