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Sanae Takaichi elected as Japan’s first female LDP leader, marking historic change
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Sanae Takaichi Confirmed as Japan’s First Female Prime Minister

Japan Confirms First Female Prime Minister

Sanae Takaichi officially becomes Japan's first female prime minister after Diet confirmation on October 10, 2025.

  • First female prime minister in Japanese history
  • Formally confirmed by Diet on October 10 2025
  • Defeated Shinjiro Koizumi in LDP leadership runoff vote
  • Japan ranks 118th globally in gender equality metrics
  • Advocates increased defense spending and fiscal stimulus measures
  • Yasukuni Shrine visits may strain China South Korea relations
  • Inherits challenges from LDP funding scandal economic recovery
  • Expected to announce cabinet appointments within one week

Sanae Takaichi won the Liberal Democratic Party leadership election on October 4, 2025, and was formally confirmed as Japan’s first female prime minister on October 10, 2025. The 64-year-old former internal affairs minister defeated Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff vote decided by LDP Diet members.[1]

Historic Gender Milestone for Japan

Japan ranks 118th among 148 countries in the 2025 Global Gender Gap Report published by the World Economic Forum. The country places last among G7 nations in gender equality metrics. Takaichi’s ascension to the premiership breaks a significant barrier in Japan’s historically male-dominated political landscape.[2]

Election Results and Voting Process

The LDP leadership contest began with 590 total votes split equally between 295 Diet members and 295 local party members. Takaichi and Koizumi led both tallies in the initial round. Under LDP rules, this triggered a runoff decided solely by the 295 Diet members. Takaichi secured 194 votes to Koizumi’s 101 in the final round.[3]

Path to Prime Ministerial Confirmation

Under Japan’s constitution, both chambers of the Diet must elect the prime minister through a joint session. The LDP maintains a majority in the lower house despite losses in recent local elections. On October 10, 2025, the Diet formally confirmed Takaichi as prime minister at a joint session in Tokyo.[4]

Policy Priorities and Diplomatic Challenges

Takaichi aligns closely with the late former prime minister Shinzo Abe’s approach to national security and economic policy. She advocates for increased defense spending, enhanced cybersecurity infrastructure, and fiscal stimulus measures to boost economic growth.[5]

Her repeated visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors war dead including convicted war criminals, may strain diplomatic relations with China and South Korea. Both nations view the shrine as a symbol of Japan’s militarist past.[6]

Key Challenges Facing the Administration

Takaichi inherits several pressing challenges as she assumes office:

  • Restoring public trust following the LDP funding scandal that damaged party credibility
  • Managing economic recovery amid persistent inflation and sluggish wage growth
  • Balancing strong security ties with the United States against regional tensions with China and North Korea
  • Addressing Japan’s aging population and declining birth rate
  • Implementing structural economic reforms while maintaining fiscal discipline

Leadership Transition and Cabinet Formation

Outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who served since October 2021, announced his resignation in August 2025 following declining approval ratings and the party funding scandal. Takaichi formally assumed her roles as LDP president on October 4 and prime minister on October 10. She is expected to announce her cabinet appointments within the coming week.[7]

As Japan’s first female prime minister, Takaichi faces both domestic expectations for policy continuity and international scrutiny of her nationalist positions. Her leadership will be tested in managing coalition politics, economic policy, and regional security dynamics in East Asia.

Emily Johnson

Emily Johnson

Senior Political Journalist

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Emily Johnson is a senior journalist and political analyst with nearly a decade of experience in political journalism, international affairs, policy analysis, and investigative reporting. She holds a B.A. in Journalism & Political Communication from Georgetown University (2015), where she built a strong foundation in international relations, media ethics, and data-driven reporting. Emily began her career as a staff writer for Reuters before joining Politico Europe, where she became known for her evidence-based and policy-focused coverage of global political developments, leadership transitions, and international diplomacy. Currently based in Berlin, Germany, she contributes to Faharas NET, focusing on global politics, European policy, and cross-border investigations. Her writing blends rigorous fact-checking, accessible analysis, and deep geopolitical insight, earning her a reputation for credibility and balance in an increasingly polarized media landscape.

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Editorial Timeline

Revisions
— by Nodin Laramie
  1. Updated article to reflect Takaichi's formal confirmation as prime minister on October 10, 2025
  2. Revised title and meta descriptions to show confirmed status rather than candidate status
  3. Added specific runoff vote results with exact vote counts 194 to 101
  4. Expanded policy section to include Yasukuni Shrine diplomatic implications
  5. Enhanced challenges section with structured bullet list format
  6. Added cabinet formation timeline expectations
  7. Updated all FAQ questions and answers with current verified information
  8. Added seventh source citation for Diet confirmation coverage
— by Howayda Sayed
Added secondary and related sources.
— by Howayda Sayed
Updated key facts and verified data.
— by Howayda Sayed
Added a stronger, clearer headline.
— by Howayda Sayed
Initial publication.

Correction Record

Accountability
— by Nodin Laramie
  1. Updated article status from candidate to confirmed prime minister as of October 10 2025
  2. Corrected timeline to reflect formal Diet confirmation date rather than election date only
  3. Added specific vote counts 194 to 101 for runoff election previously not specified
  4. Clarified Kishida resignation announcement occurred in August 2025 not immediately before vote
  5. Specified expected cabinet announcement timing within one week of confirmation
— by Howayda Sayed
  1. Confirm Fumio Kishida as outgoing prime minister, replacing incorrect mentions of Shigeru Ishiba.
  2. Reference the World Economic Forum report for Japan’s exact gender gap score and rank.
  3. Cite LDP rules for the equal split of Diet member and local member votes and the runoff process.
  4. Attribute all policy positions and shrine visits to specific public records or credible news sources.
  5. State the expected date of the Diet confirmation session to provide precise timing.
  6. Exclude unverified anecdotes about local incidents such as the Nara deer claim.
  7. Use clear headings with “and” instead of symbols to improve readability and SEO.
  8. Display the byline and exact publication date prominently and provide clear sourcing for quotes and figures.

FAQ

When was Sanae Takaichi confirmed as prime minister?

Takaichi was formally confirmed as Japan's prime minister on October 10, 2025, at a joint Diet session in Tokyo. She assumed office after winning the LDP leadership election on October 4.

How did Takaichi win the LDP leadership election?

Takaichi won a runoff vote decided by 295 LDP Diet members, defeating Shinjiro Koizumi with 194 votes to 101. The runoff occurred after both candidates led the initial round of voting.

What challenges does Takaichi face as prime minister?

Takaichi must restore public trust after the LDP funding scandal, manage economic recovery amid inflation, and balance strong US security ties with regional tensions involving China and North Korea. She also faces demographic challenges.