Japan stands on the verge of achieving a historic milestone, with 64-year-old conservative leader Sanae Takaichi set to become the country’s first female prime minister. Takaichi, a hardline politician, narrowly won the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership race on Saturday. She positioned herself as the party’s new elected leader after defeating Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a tightly contested runoff in Tokyo.
At 64, Takaichi has emerged as the leading contender to succeed outgoing PM Shigeru Ishiba. After the much-awaited confirmation by the Parliament, she will become Japan’s youngest prime minister.
Who Is Sanae Takaichi?
Born on March 7, 1961, a self-proclaimed admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi’s political journey has been a roller coaster ride. Upon graduating from Kobe University, she became an author, a TV host, and a legislative aide. As a young student, she performed as a heavy metal drummer in a band and rode motorcycles. Her hobbies include scuba diving and watching martial arts.
Takainchi was born and brought up in Nara city by her father, who worked in an automobile company, and her mother, who was a police officer. Best known as a controversial figure in Japanese politics, she held various key positions within the party and government. She is a wartime history revisionist and known as a ‘China hawk’. Following her first election, she entered Japan’s parliament from her hometown, Nara, in 1993 and became an MP.
Takkaichi, formerly Yamamoto, faced many hardships during her political journey, including contending with a weakened economy, soaring inflation, stagnant wages, and a slush fund scandal. If she becomes the Prime Minister, one of the key challenges would be uniting the party after years of instability.
After serving as Liberal Democratic Party President since 2025, Takaichi has become the first female to hold the position. Additionally, she is a member of Japan’s largest ultranationalist lobbying group – Nippon Kaigi.
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