Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Female Prime Minister After Tight Parliamentary Vote

Picture Credit: Philip Fong / AFP via Getty Images

Sanae Takaichi has been elected as Japan’s next Prime Minister, marking a historic first for the nation as she becomes the first woman to hold the position. Her appointment followed a runoff vote in Parliament on Tuesday.

The Upper House confirmed Takaichi’s victory with 125 votes, just one above the required simple majority.

Earlier, she had secured 237 votes in the Lower House, surpassing the 233 votes needed to win.

A former television presenter, Takaichi began her political career in 1993 after winning a seat in the Lower House as an independent.

The 64-year-old lawmaker, who represents Nara Prefecture, joined the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in 1996 and entered the Cabinet under former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs. She later became the first woman to chair the LDP’s Policy Research Council.

Key Roles in Government

Between 2022 and 2024, Takaichi served as Japan’s Economic Security Minister. She also holds the distinction of being the country’s longest-serving Minister for Internal Affairs, having served in multiple terms.

A key figure in the LDP’s conservative wing, Takaichi was elected party leader on Saturday after defeating Shinjiro Shinjiro in a runoff vote, receiving 185 votes to his 156.

None of the five leadership candidates secured a majority in the initial round, prompting the runoff.

As Prime Minister, she will complete the remaining three years of former leader Shigeru Ishiba’s term, set to conclude in September 2027.

Following her election, former Justice Minister Midori Matsushima, one of the 20 lawmakers who supported Takaichi, welcomed the milestone.

The Japan Times quoted Matsushima, noting, “The first female Prime Minister is here. I’m so happy that I could witness this. I hope this gives courage to many young women, and to the people like her, who were not born into a family of politicians, who were born and raised in a place that had nothing to do with politics.”

Takaichi steps into office at a challenging time.

Japan faces sluggish economic growth, rising prices, and a weakened yen.

With the ruling LDP under pressure after recent electoral setbacks, her leadership will tested by the need to unite a divided party, navigate minority governance, and restore public trust in its ability to deliver stability.

Also Read: Ishiba Cabinet Steps Down As Japan Awaits Vote To Elect New Prime Minister

Mankrit Kaur