A last-minute coalition agreement confirmed the appointment, but the government still lacks a majority and risks of instability remain.
Published October 21, 2025
Japan’s parliament has elected ultra-conservative Sanae Takaichi as its first female prime minister.
Takaichi, a close aide to assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, was approved for the position on Tuesday with 237 votes in the 465-member House of Representatives.
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The victory follows a last-minute coalition agreement on Monday between his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the right-wing Japan Ishin no Kai (JIP), also known as Ishin. However, her government remains two seats short of a majority, suggesting risks of instability.
Takaichi replaced Shigeru Ishiba, ending a three-month political vacuum and controversy since the Liberal Democratic Party, which has ruled Japan for most of its postwar history, suffered a crushing defeat in the July general election.
Her victory marks a pivotal moment in a country where men still have overwhelming influence. But there is little hope that it will help promote gender equality or diversity, and it is likely to lead to a sharper shift to the right on immigration and social issues.
Takaichi has been obstructing measures to promote women’s empowerment. She supports male-only succession to the imperial family and opposes same-sex marriage and allowing couples to have separate surnames.
The Liberal Democratic Party had previously lost its long-time partner Komeito, a Buddhist-backed party with more dovish and centrist positions.
The Komeito party broke off the alliance, fearing that the Liberal Democratic Party was unprepared to fight corruption.
“Political stability is essential now,” Takaichi said at the signing ceremony with JIP leader and Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura. “Without stability, we cannot pursue policies toward a strong economy and foreign policy.”
Yoshimura said that the JIP will not take up any cabinet positions in the Takaichi Cabinet until Takaichi’s party is confident in its partnership with the Liberal Democratic Party.
After years of deflation, Japan is now suffering from rising prices, which has sparked public anger and fueled support for anti-government groups, including far-right upstarts.
Like Prime Minister Abe, Takaichi is expected to support government spending to revitalize the sluggish economy. This triggered so-called “high market trading” in the stock market, with the Nikkei stock average hitting its latest high on Tuesday.
But it has also raised concerns among investors about the government’s ability to pay for additional spending in a country where the debt burden far exceeds annual output.
Immediately after the House of Representatives vote, Takaichi’s promotion to prime minister was approved by the Senate, which has less power. She will be sworn in as Japan’s 104th prime minister on Tuesday night.
Takaichi is also facing deadlines as he prepares for a major policy speech later this week, a meeting with US President Donald Trump, and a regional summit.
