Sanae Takaichi Elected LDP Leader, Poised to Be Japan’s First Female Prime Minister
Sanae Takaichi was elected leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and is poised to become the country’s first female prime minister; the 64‑year‑old conservative hardliner is a China‑hawk and history revisionist who regularly visits Yasukuni Shrine, supports male‑only imperial succession, opposes same‑sex marriage, backs tougher immigration and a stronger military, and has pledged to “drastically increase” female ministers while signaling loyalty to party heavyweights. She drew attention for saying she will “abandon the word ‘work‑life balance’” and urging lawmakers to “work like a horse,” comments that trended on social media, has prompted concern from coalition partner Komeito, and was congratulated by Donald Trump on Truth Social as she vowed to strengthen the Japan‑U.S. alliance and honor existing tariff and investment arrangements.
📌 Key Facts
- Sanae Takaichi was elected leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and is poised to become Japan’s first female prime minister (reports from early October 2025).
- Takaichi, 64, is described as a conservative hardliner: a China‑hawk and history revisionist who regularly visits Yasukuni Shrine, supports male‑only imperial succession, opposes same‑sex marriage, and favors tougher immigration policies and a stronger military.
- She pledged to "drastically increase" the number of female ministers but also signaled loyalty to party heavyweights, raising questions about how she will balance gender‑advancement rhetoric with party dynamics.
- In remarks that trended on social media she said she would "abandon the word 'work‑life balance'" and urged lawmakers to "work, work, work" and to "work like a horse."
- Takaichi vowed to strengthen the Japan–U.S. alliance and said she would honor existing tariffs and investment agreements with the Trump administration, linking her agenda to immediate U.S. policy interactions.
- U.S. President Donald Trump publicly congratulated Takaichi in a Truth Social post.
- Her election has raised near‑term coalition uncertainty: coalition partner Komeito expressed "big worry and concern" (Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito), underscoring potential friction within the ruling coalition.
📰 Sources (4)
- Direct quote from U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social congratulating Takaichi.
- Article quotes Takaichi vowing to strengthen the Japan‑U.S. alliance and to honor existing tariffs and investment agreements with the Trump administration (linking her agenda to immediate U.S. policy interactions).
- Reiterates coalition friction with Komeito and cites a statement by Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito expressing 'big worry and concern'—underscoring near‑term coalition uncertainty.
- Direct quote from Takaichi: "I will abandon the word 'work‑life balance.' I will work, work, work and work."
- She called on party lawmakers to "work like a horse," a phrase that trended on social media per the report.
- Article reiterates and details policy positions including support for a stronger military, backing male‑only imperial succession, opposition to same‑sex marriage and a record of visiting Yasukuni Shrine.
- Direct quote from Takaichi: she will "abandon the word 'work‑life balance'" and urged lawmakers to "work like a horse," a remark that trended on social media.
- Policy and biographical specifics: Takaichi, 64, is a known China‑hawk and history revisionist who regularly visits Yasukuni Shrine; she supports male‑only imperial succession, opposes same‑sex marriage, and backs tougher immigration and stronger military policies.
- She pledged to "drastically increase" female ministers but signaled loyalty to party heavyweights, raising questions about how she will balance gender‑advancement rhetoric with party dynamics.