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Japan’s Ruling Party Chooses Sanae Takaichi, Clearing Path to First Female Prime Minister
Liberal Democratic Party elects conservative firebrand over Shinjiro Koizumi, setting stage for historic shift
Japan’s governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) elected former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi as its new leader on October 4, positioning her to become the country’s first female prime minister.
Takaichi defeated Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff, inheriting leadership at a moment of internal crisis and electoral setbacks.
Until now, Japan has never had a female head of government, and the LDP has long remained dominated by male conservatives.
Takaichi, aged 64, is one of the most ideologically right-leaning figures in her party, known as a staunch China critic and admirer of Margaret Thatcher’s brand of conservatism.
Her rise signals a turn away from more moderate wings of the party.
In the LDP’s internal vote, 295 Diet members and roughly one million party members cast ballots.
None of the five initial candidates secured a majority in the first round; Takaichi led with 183 votes (31.1 percent), while Koizumi earned 164 (27.8 percent).
In the runoff, Takaichi won 185 to 156.
With the LDP still the largest party in the lower house, she is expected to be confirmed in the Diet around October 15.
Takaichi succeeds Shigeru Ishiba, a moderate who stepped down amid mounting criticism of the party’s direction.
Her leadership comes at a delicate time: the LDP no longer holds majorities in either house of parliament, forcing her to seek cooperation from opposition factions and possibly widen its coalition.
She campaigned on themes of economic revitalization, stronger defense posture, and tighter immigration controls.
To appeal to broader audiences, she avoided contentious social issues like gender equality and the imperial succession during the campaign.
Observers note that her nationalist stances—such as support for constitutional revision and visits to the Yasukuni Shrine—may heighten tensions with neighboring nations.
Despite her conservative reputation, Takaichi has pledged to unify the fragmented party and restore voter confidence.
Her victory marks a milestone in Japan’s male-dominated political landscape, but also ushers in a new era of leadership that will be closely watched both domestically and abroad.
Takaichi defeated Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff, inheriting leadership at a moment of internal crisis and electoral setbacks.
Until now, Japan has never had a female head of government, and the LDP has long remained dominated by male conservatives.
Takaichi, aged 64, is one of the most ideologically right-leaning figures in her party, known as a staunch China critic and admirer of Margaret Thatcher’s brand of conservatism.
Her rise signals a turn away from more moderate wings of the party.
In the LDP’s internal vote, 295 Diet members and roughly one million party members cast ballots.
None of the five initial candidates secured a majority in the first round; Takaichi led with 183 votes (31.1 percent), while Koizumi earned 164 (27.8 percent).
In the runoff, Takaichi won 185 to 156.
With the LDP still the largest party in the lower house, she is expected to be confirmed in the Diet around October 15.
Takaichi succeeds Shigeru Ishiba, a moderate who stepped down amid mounting criticism of the party’s direction.
Her leadership comes at a delicate time: the LDP no longer holds majorities in either house of parliament, forcing her to seek cooperation from opposition factions and possibly widen its coalition.
She campaigned on themes of economic revitalization, stronger defense posture, and tighter immigration controls.
To appeal to broader audiences, she avoided contentious social issues like gender equality and the imperial succession during the campaign.
Observers note that her nationalist stances—such as support for constitutional revision and visits to the Yasukuni Shrine—may heighten tensions with neighboring nations.
Despite her conservative reputation, Takaichi has pledged to unify the fragmented party and restore voter confidence.
Her victory marks a milestone in Japan’s male-dominated political landscape, but also ushers in a new era of leadership that will be closely watched both domestically and abroad.
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