Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Japan is on the verge of a historic political transformation as Sanae Takaichi, a veteran conservative politician and former cabinet minister, prepares to become the country’s first female prime minister. The development comes after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which she now leads, reached a coalition agreement with the opposition Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), paving the way for a new government following the collapse of the previous alliance with the Komeito party.
The final parliamentary vote to confirm the next prime minister is scheduled for October 21. Barring any last-minute surprises, Takaichi, 64, will assume office, making her the first woman to lead Japan in its modern political history.
A Political Comeback Fueled by Coalition Politics
The agreement with Ishin followed intense behind-the-scenes negotiations after the LDP lost its parliamentary majority. With opposition parties too fragmented to agree on a unifying leader, the LDP-Ishin coalition became the most viable path forward. The shift also came amid the expected resignation of current Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who narrowly defeated Takaichi in the party’s 2024 leadership contest, only to see his government falter months later.
Takaichi’s ascent has long been anticipated. Known for her loyalty to the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and her strong nationalist views, she has cultivated a reputation as a determined, ideologically consistent figure within the LDP. Her previous loss to Ishiba appeared to sideline her ambitions, until political realignments gave her another chance.
Breaking Barriers: From Heavy Metal Drummer to PM
Born in 1961 in Nara Prefecture, Takaichi’s early life gave little hint of the political force she would become. The daughter of a clerical worker and a police officer, she first entered the public eye as a television presenter and was known in her youth for her unconventional passions including playing drums in a heavy metal band. Her energetic performances once earned her the nickname “the drummer who broke her sticks.”
She also trained as a scuba diver and remains a car enthusiast; her beloved Toyota Supra is still displayed in a local museum in her hometown.
After transitioning to politics, she held several high-profile positions, including Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications, Minister of Economic Security, and Minister of Trade and Industry. In 2014, she became the longest-serving Minister for Internal Affairs, a position she held under Abe, who remained her most important political mentor until his assassination in 2022.
Security-Focused and Ideologically Conservative
Takaichi’s political ideology is firmly rooted in right-wing conservatism. She advocates revising Article 9 of Japan’s postwar constitution, which renounces the use of force in international conflicts and bans Japan from maintaining a standing army. Takaichi has repeatedly argued that Japan’s security environment, especially with the rise of China and tensions on the Korean Peninsula is the most dangerous since World War II.
She supports significantly increasing Japan’s defense budget and has called for the creation of a national intelligence agency modeled after the U.S. CIA. Her foreign policy priorities align closely with U.S. strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific, and she is expected to continue strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance.
Economically, she promises to revive the “Abenomics” model of expansive fiscal and monetary policy, combining government spending with aggressive stimulus programs aimed at countering Japan’s economic stagnation and demographic decline.
Controversies and International Sanctions
Takaichi’s hardline views have drawn criticism at home and abroad. She is currently under Russian sanctions, imposed in May 2022 while she served as chair of the LDP’s Policy Research Council, in retaliation for Tokyo’s stance against Moscow following the invasion of Ukraine.
On social issues, she is known for her traditionalist positions. She opposes same-sex marriage and has resisted legislative changes that would allow married women to retain their maiden names, an issue that has sparked widespread debate in Japan. Yet, she supports expanding healthcare services for women and the elderly, and advocates stronger recognition for home caregivers, reflecting an awareness of Japan’s rapidly aging population.
A Symbolic Victory, But Modest Expectations
While Takaichi’s appointment will be a symbolic milestone for gender equality in Japan, a country that has long lagged behind in female political representation analysts do not expect sweeping policy changes. Instead, she is likely to focus on continuity, emphasizing stability, national security, and traditional values.
Still, her rise may reshape public perceptions of leadership in a country where only a fraction of lawmakers are women, and no woman has ever served as head of government. If confirmed, she will lead one of the world’s largest economies at a time of global uncertainty and regional tension.
As the world watches the upcoming parliamentary vote, Sanae Takaichi’s moment seems all but certain marking not only a personal triumph after decades in public life, but also a pivotal moment in Japan’s political evolution.
