Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Female Prime Minister

In a historic victory, Sanae Takaichi, a 64-year-old conservative dubbed Japan’s “Iron Lady” for her admiration of former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, has been elected as Japan’s first female prime minister. This marks her third attempt at securing the nation’s top leadership role and makes her the fourth prime minister in five years from the scandal-plagued Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

A prominent figure in the LDP’s hardline wing and a protégé of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi has earned international recognition, with U.S. President Donald Trump praising her as a “highly respected person of great wisdom.” As she assumes office, Takaichi faces significant challenges, including revitalizing Japan’s sluggish economy, navigating a complex U.S.-Japan relationship, and uniting a fractured ruling party.