Who is Sanae Takaichi, the first woman to lead Japan?

TokyoSanae Takaichi, former Minister of Economic Security of Japan, made history this Saturday when she was arrested elected president of the Liberal Democratic Party (PLD) in the runoff, beating moderate-liberal Shinjiro Koizumi by 185 votes to 156. The runoff was necessary after none of the five candidates achieved a majority in the first round. Takaichi's victory makes her the favorite to become the country's first female prime minister. "Instead of feeling happy, I feel like the hard work begins now," Takaichi said in a speech to her party's lawmakers after her victory.

Unlike last year's race, which saw the current Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba elected, the five candidates' proposals this time were difficult to distinguish: all avoided controversial issues so as not to lose the support of party lawmakers, support that ultimately carries much more weight in a potential runoff. The need to leave room for imminent political negotiations with opposition parties and a possible future expansion of the government coalition has also played a role, further homogenizing the platforms and blurring the contrast between candidates.

An extraordinary session of the lower house of the Japanese Parliament is expected to convene in mid-October to formally elect the new prime minister. Although the center-right coalition of the LDP with the also conservative Buddhist Komeito Party does not have a simultaneous majority in both houses, the party's chosen candidate should win the vote, given that the opposition parties have failed to articulate a common alternative capable of gathering the necessary support.

Conservative and heavy metal fan

Protected from Former Prime Minister Shinzo AbeA drummer and heavy metal fan, Takaichi has always been a free spirit within the party, welcoming disciples along the way. She is a frequent visitor to the Yasukuni Shrine, a temple that honors the country's war dead—including some convicted war criminals—a sight interpreted by many in her Asian neighbors as a provocative symbol of Japan's militaristic past. She also advocates revising the postwar pacifist constitution to formally recognize an expanded role for the Self-Defense Forces and suggested this year that Japan could eventually form a "quasi-security alliance" with Taiwan.

Takaichi has also repeatedly and forcefully spoken out on immigration policy: advocating for stricter controls on the arrival and residence of foreigners, emphasizing prioritizing employment and services for the local population, and expressing reservations about the impact of mass tourism on Sanseitō. Her views have also been directed against the perceived presence of foreigners in neighborhoods and urban areas, and she has repeatedly advocated for measures to strengthen the regulation of non-Japanese residents.

Regarding civil rights, she has spoken out against same-sex marriage and defends a family model based on conservative values, a stance that places her in the party's more traditional line. Her proclamations have drawn criticism from human rights groups and businesses, who warn of the risk that these policies will damage Japan's international image and hinder the recruitment of talent in a country facing a rapidly aging population.

In the economic sphere, Takaichi advocates a package of proactive measures to alleviate the rising cost of living: increased public spending combined with tax cuts to ease the burden on households. She has also been critical of the Bank of Japan's decision to raise interest rates, a stance that places her as a supporter of a more expansionary fiscal approach. However, analysts warn that these proposals clash with a very burdensome fiscal situation—Japan is one of the most indebted economies in the world—and could generate concern among investors if not accompanied by a clear fiscal sustainability plan.