Who Is Sanae Takaichi, Likely To Become Japan’s First Woman Prime Minister?

Sanae Takaichi, a prominent figure in Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is making headlines as she campaigns for the party's leadership. If successful, she would become Japan’s first female prime minister, a significant milestone in a nation where women have historically been underrepresented in political leadership.

A Conservative Profile

Born in 1961 in Nara Prefecture, Takaichi has been a member of the House of Representatives since 1993. Throughout her political career, she has held various ministerial positions, including Minister of State for Economic Security and Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Known for her conservative views, Takaichi has advocated for revising Article 9 of Japan's Constitution, which renounces war, to allow for a more robust military presence. She also supports the restart of nuclear energy and has expressed opposition to same-sex marriage and the idea of female succession to the Japanese throne.

The Gender Gap in Japanese Politics

According to Asahi, female representation in Japan’s Lower House, the chamber with greater legislative power, remains strikingly low. Women occupy only 15.7% of the seats, a figure that lags far behind both the global average of 27.1%and the Asian regional average of 22.1%, according to data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

This stark underrepresentation highlights the persistent gender gap in Japanese politics, reflecting the broader challenges women face in achieving leadership roles and influencing policy in a traditionally male-dominated political system.

Japan ranks 118th out of 148 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Index, trailing behind nations such as Senegal and Angola. The country has never appointed a female prime minister, finance minister, or central bank governor. Despite these statistics, Sanae Takaichi's candidacy presents a potential breakthrough for women in Japanese politics.

Sanae Takaichi

Takaichi's economic platform includes proposals for income tax cuts and direct cash payouts to households, aiming to stimulate economic growth and address Japan's ageing population. Her stance on economic issues has garnered attention, particularly as Japan faces challenges related to its declining birthrate and ageing population.

Public opinion on Takaichi's leadership prospects is mixed. While some view her as a strong, decisive leader capable of revitalising Japan's economy, others are concerned about her conservative social policies and their potential impact on gender equality.

People who want Sanae Takaichi to become Prime Minister ✋

The people must have the right to vote. Repost to spread. We're 🇱🇷 behind the people of 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/ecRxyeatHa

— Trump GESARA-NESARA Global 🇺🇲 (@PatriotQfsWeb) September 23, 2025

Foreign media call Sanae Takaichi a “hard-line nationalist.”
In reality, she stands for protecting Japan’s traditions, securing national defense, and reducing dependence on China.
That’s not radical. That’s common sense for any sovereign nation. pic.twitter.com/t9m2CNIyhZ

— じぴてぃくん (@CHATGPT_KUN) September 7, 2025

As the only woman in the leadership race, Takaichi has pledged to improve gender balance in her cabinet to "Nordic" levels. However, her past opposition to policies promoting gender equality has raised questions about her commitment to this goal.

The upcoming LDP leadership election will not only determine the party's direction but also who leads Japan. Takaichi faces strong competition from other experienced figures within the party, many with deeper factional support. Still, her mix of economic promises, nationalist views, and the chance to make history makes her one of the most closely watched candidates.

Whether she wins or not, Sanae Takaichi's campaign reflects Japan's crossroads: balancing economic revival with national security, and tradition with the demand for greater diversity in politics.