Japan

Takaichi Set to Become Japan's First Female Prime Minister

Published OCT 4 2025

Story

Above: Sanae Takaichi celebrates after winning the LDP leadership election on Oct.4, 2025. Image credit: Kim Kyung-Hoon/Pool/Getty Images

The Facts

Japan's former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi won the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election on Saturday, defeating Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff vote with 185 votes to Koizumi's 156.
CNN
Japan Wire by Kyodo News
X
Takaichi becomes the first woman to assume the LDP presidency and is positioned to become Japan's first female prime minister when parliament convenes an extraordinary session expected around Oct. 15.
Newsmax
Al Jazeera
The leadership election took place after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation following the ruling coalition's loss of a majority in both houses of parliament for the first time since the LDP's founding in 1955.
FOX News
The Japan Times
Japan Wire by Kyodo News
Five candidates competed in the first round, with Takaichi receiving 183 votes and Koizumi 164 votes. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi finished third with 134 votes, forcing the top two into a runoff.
The Asahi Shimbun
Japan News
The new LDP leader faces the challenge of governing with a minority coalition and will need cooperation from the opposition party to pass legislation, while also preparing for a potential summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in late October.
Al Jazeera
Japan Wire by Kyodo News
Takaichi, a 64-year-old conservative lawmaker from Nara, has held multiple ministerial roles and shares similar policy views with the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, making this her third bid for party leadership.
The Asahi Shimbun
The Japan Times
The Wall Street Journal on X

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Takaichi's victory is a hollow breakthrough that won't advance women's rights. Her conservative agenda opposes dual surname laws and female imperial succession while maintaining traditional family values that restrict women's choices.

Time

Narrative B

Takaichi's historic win shatters Japan's ultimate glass ceiling and demonstrates the LDP's evolution. Her policy expertise and strong grassroots support across 30 prefectures prove she has the mandate to revitalize the party and transform Japan.

Nikkei Asia