Japan Set To Have Its First Female Leader 

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) over the weekend elected former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi as its new leader, making the conservative politician the first woman to lead the party and the frontrunner in the race to become Japan’s first female prime minister, the Associated Press reported. 

Takaichi defeated Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a party runoff vote on Saturday, after none of the five candidates secured a majority in the first round of voting.  

Her election followed weeks of campaigning within the LDP, which remains Japan’s largest political force despite recent election losses that saw it lose control of both houses of parliament.  

A parliamentary vote to formally confirm the new prime minister is scheduled for Oct. 15. 

She will replace Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who stepped down amid party pressure following the election losses. Ishiba said he hopes the LDP will “band together under new leadership to serve the country and the people.” 

A protégé of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi has long been known for her hawkish views on China and strong support for expanding Japan’s defense capabilities. She is a regular visitor to the Yasukuni Shrine, seen by many in Asia as a symbol of Japan’s aggression in World War II.  

She has pledged to prioritize controlling inflation, bolstering national security, and strengthening the Japan-US alliance. A meeting with US President Donald Trump is reportedly being planned for late October, shortly after a parliamentary confirmation vote. 

Her victory comes at a difficult moment for the LDP, which has been rocked by corruption scandals, discontent over economic stagnation, and rising concerns about immigration.  

During July’s lower house parliamentary vote, Japan’s far-right Sanseito party gained support by calling immigration a “silent invasion.” 

Both Takaichi and Koizumi took harder stances on the issue during campaigning, in an effort to bring back conservative voters who voted for Sanseito, Al Jazeera noted. 

Takaichi will also face the challenge of forming an effective coalition with centrist allies such as Komeito and possibly opposition parties to pass legislation.  

Meanwhile, her election was met with mixed fanfare: Observers hailed her appointment as historic in a country that has ranked poorly in gender equality. Others, however, cautioned that Takaichi “has no interest in women’s rights or gender equality policies,” noting that her leadership may not significantly advance women’s empowerment or diversity in government.