On October 21st, sanae takaichi, president of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, won the nomination election of the Prime Minister of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Provisional Parliament, and was elected as the 104th Prime Minister of Japan, becoming the first female Prime Minister of Japan.
Sanae Takaichi, 64, was born in Nara Prefecture, Japan. He graduated from Kobe University and was a drummer in a heavy metal band during his college years. After graduating from college in 1984, takaichi sanae entered Panasonic School of Politics and Economics, during which he went to the United States to intern in the office of a Democratic congressman of the United States. Before entering Japanese politics, she also worked as a TV presenter and writer.
Takaichi sanae's parliamentary career lasted for nearly 30 years, during which he held important positions such as Minister of General Affairs and Minister of Economic Security during Shinzo Abe and Fumio Kishida's administrations.
Takaichi sanae's election as prime minister benefited from the successful "reorganization" of the ruling coalition. On the eve of the prime minister's nomination election, Komeito Party, a longtime partner of the Liberal Democratic Party, ended its 26-year alliance with the Liberal Democratic Party due to a political donation scandal. In order to keep power, the Liberal Democratic Party formed an alliance with the Japan Reform Association. This provides a guarantee for takaichi sanae to get more than half of the votes needed to be elected.
In terms of ideology, Takashi Zaomiao is a staunch nationalist with extremely conservative concepts。 In particular, takaichi sanae advocated strengthening defense construction and amending Article 9 of Japan's "Peace Constitution". Many people are worried about Takaichi Sanae's nationalist views. Takaichi sanae publicly visited the Yasukuni Shrine many times, denied the history of the Nanjing Massacre and promoted the "China threat theory". Takaichi sanae has talked about the Taiwan Province issue many times, declaring in public that "something happens to Taiwan Province means something happens to Japan". She supports strict immigration controls and continues the policies of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the economic field, pursuing an expansionary fiscal policy.
Although she belongs to the Abe faction, which has taken a flexible and pragmatic approach to relations with Russia, during the Democratic Party presidential election she supported sanctions against Russia because of the conflict in Ukraine.
Takashi Saami's path to power has not been smooth sailing-she has tried three times to lead the Liberal Democratic Party. In October 2025, she defeated influential candidates such as Shinjiro Koizumi and Toshimitsu Motegi and won the presidential election. Rivals from Takashi Saami joined the new cabinet to demonstrate intra-party unity.
The city faces serious challenges, especially in the economic arena (rising prices, aging population and falling incomes) and rebuilding public trust damaged by recent corruption scandals.
In addition, the cabinet must also adapt to the new governing alliance with the Japan Socialist Party. On the eve of the parliamentary prime minister nomination election, a document was officially signed with the party of the Socialist Party, Qigimura Yuan-moon, to establish a coalition government. In policy consultations with the Democratic Party, the Japan Socialist Party put forward political reform demands such as cutting the seats of members of the National Congress by 10%, and prohibiting corporate and group political contributions.