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Summary
Minister Sanae Takaichi, the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, has been elected as Japan's first female leader and Prime Minister. This historical milestone marked a turning point for the country’s patriarchal society.
Minister Sanea Takaichi has been elected as Japan’s first female Prime Minister. This historical milestone occurred on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, after she secured a clear majority win in the country’s parliament.
As the leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Sanae secured 237 votes in the Lower House and 125 votes in the Upper House, earning her the country’s leadership title. She will succeed Shigeru Ishiba as Japan’s 104th Prime Minister and first female leader.
During her campaign, Sanae proposed extending hospital services for women’s health, giving household supporters greater recognition, and improving care options for Japan’s ageing society. She expressed hope to raise awareness about women’s health struggles and speak honestly about her own experience with menopause.
Although Sanea is known for her conservative views, her victory is perceived as a significant opportunity for women’s empowerment and a major milestone in Japanese politics, where women’s representation has historically been low.
Since joining the ruling LDP party, Sanae has been elected to parliament nine times. She held multiple cabinet posts, including the one on gender equality and demographic issues, and chaired the party’s Policy Research Council. Recently, she served as Minister of Economic Security under the administration of Fumio Kishida.
