Japan Poised for Historic First Female Prime Minister as Sanae Takaichi Emerges as LDP Frontrunner

Sept 2025 – Japan may soon witness a historic first, with Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) heavyweight Sanae Takaichi emerging as a leading contender in the party’s upcoming leadership race scheduled for October 4. If victorious, she would become Japan’s first-ever female prime minister, marking a major milestone in the country’s post-war political history.

Takaichi, 64, a staunch conservative and longtime ally of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has pledged to continue his policies. Last year, she narrowly lost to current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the LDP leadership runoff, but her growing influence has strengthened her candidacy this time.

Japan’s political arena has historically sidelined women, with no female ever having served as prime minister since the post-war constitution of 1947. While a handful of women have held cabinet posts, they often struggled within the male-dominated LDP, which has maintained political dominance since the 1950s.

Notably, former Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike came close to breaking the glass ceiling in 2016 but fell short of securing enough party backing. Past female contenders, including Takaichi herself, have often faced challenges in gaining broad factional support despite their popularity with the public.

Takaichi’s policy platform emphasizes national security, economic revival, and conservative values. She has strongly backed countering China’s growing military presence in the Asia-Pacific and advocated shifting Japan’s self-defense strategy towards a more proactive stance. Domestically, she supports major government spending, ultra-low interest rates, and continuation of Abe’s economic policies.

Her candidacy, however, has not been without controversy. Takaichi has drawn criticism for repeated visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, where soldiers convicted of war crimes are also enshrined, stoking tensions with China and South Korea. Despite this, she remains a favorite among conservative factions within the LDP.

The leadership race will see her compete against three male candidates, including Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, known for his moderate policy approach. Analysts note that while Hayashi appeals to centrist voters, Takaichi’s strong conservative base and alignment with Abe’s legacy could give her the edge.

As Japan moves closer to the October 4 leadership vote, the possibility of electing its first female prime minister signals a potential turning point in its political landscape, reflecting gradual progress on gender equality in governance.

Team Maverick.