Japan's New Prime Minister

On October 21, 2025 the new prime minister of Japan was elected and sworn into office. While this election sounds like any other, it actually marks an important shift in Japanese politics. But why? Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected Prime Minister of Japan is the first woman to ever hold this position. Not only that, but the first woman to be a party leader in Japan, as she is the head of the Liberal Democratic Party. This election marks the beginnings of change in a country where men hold the most power over the political sphere. With a woman being elected prime minister, this shows how roles in the government are changing, opening the door for women to get more involved in politics and the government in Japan.

Photo by Kim Kyung-Hoon

Who is Sanae Takaichi?

Sanea Takaichi, the new Japanese Prime Minister, is not at all new to the political world, in fact, at 64 years old, she has a career in politics that spans over 3 decades, working several ministerial positions before becoming Prime Minister and President of the Liberal Democratic Party. Throughout her decades-long career in politics, Takaichi has built a reputation for herself as being someone who is direct, disciplined, and incredibly committed to the policies she promotes. She consistently shows dedication to her policies, keeping focused when necessary and proving that she is able to get the job done correctly, with the amount of care and consideration necessary. 

Photo by Reuters

What are her proposed policies?

Now as the Prime Minister of Japan, she has expressed a desire for change in Japan. She has been labeled as more conservative due to her newly proposed policies that show her stance on many different hot topics affecting Japan right now, including her stances on strengthening Japan's national defense, tightening immigration control, and increasing the country's involvement in international affairs. An example of this is Tachichi's meeting with Trump on October 28, 2025. She is also taking office at a moment in Japan when the country is facing challenges with its economy, which allows Takaichi to make decisions that will have a lasting impact and shape Japan's future growth and stability. 

Photo by AFP-JIJI

This election of a Prime Minister is historic, and as mentioned earlier, incredibly important for opening the doors for other women in Japan to be able to have a more hands-on career in politics. The election of Takiachi not only shows the country's advancement by electing a female Prime Minister, but also demonstrates a shift in the nation now that a woman has one of the most powerful leadership positions in the country. Now with Takaichi in charge, Japan is entering  a period where new ideas and policies will intersect with tradition. As her term begins, her decisions in office will be able to move the country forward, both politically and socially.