What's happened
On October 21, 2025, Sanae Takaichi became Japan’s first female prime minister, ending a three-month political deadlock after the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) July election loss. Despite losing longtime coalition partner Komeito, the LDP formed a fragile alliance with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party (JIP). Takaichi faces economic challenges, diplomatic talks with the US, and political instability amid a divided parliament.
What's behind the headline?
Takaichi’s Premiership: A Conservative Breakthrough, Not a Feminist Milestone
Sanae Takaichi’s ascent as Japan’s first female prime minister is historic but complex. While breaking the glass ceiling, her conservative policies and political alliances suggest continuity rather than progressive change.
-
Conservative Policy Focus: Takaichi aligns with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s hawkish stance, emphasizing military strengthening, economic security, and fiscal expansion. Her coalition with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party underscores a nationalist and conservative agenda.
-
Gender Equality Contradictions: Despite her gender, Takaichi opposes reforms like separate surnames for married couples and same-sex marriage, maintaining patriarchal norms. Her cabinet includes only two women, mirroring previous administrations, disappointing advocates for women’s empowerment.
-
Political Fragility: The LDP lost its longtime coalition partner Komeito over concerns about corruption and Takaichi’s ultraconservative views. The new coalition with JIP lacks a clear majority, requiring support from other parties, which may limit legislative effectiveness.
-
Diplomatic and Economic Challenges: Takaichi faces immediate pressure to manage rising prices, economic stimulus, and delicate diplomacy with the US, China, and South Korea. Her hawkish rhetoric and visits to controversial sites like Yasukuni Shrine complicate regional relations.
-
Public and Political Reception: While some celebrate her historic role, many Japanese women and analysts view her leadership as a setback for gender equality. Her conservative social policies contrast with the symbolic significance of her premiership.
Forecast
Takaichi’s government will likely pursue conservative economic and security policies but struggle with political instability due to a fragile coalition and divided parliament. Gender equality advances are expected to stall, and regional diplomatic tensions may persist. Her premiership signals a rightward shift in Japanese politics rather than a progressive transformation.
What the papers say
The South China Morning Post highlights Takaichi’s admiration for Margaret Thatcher and her conservative, hawkish stance, noting her alliance with the Japan Innovation Party after Komeito’s departure due to concerns over corruption and ultraconservatism. The Japan Times details the political maneuvering that secured her premiership, including coalition-building and cabinet appointments, while noting criticism over limited female representation in her cabinet. SBS and The New Arab emphasize the gender equality debate, quoting experts like Professor Sadafumi Kawato and sociologist Chizuko Ueno, who argue that Takaichi’s rise is not a feminist victory given her opposition to key gender reforms and conservative social policies. The NY Post and The Times of Israel focus on the political instability and challenges ahead, including economic pressures and diplomatic relations, especially with the US and regional neighbors. Al Jazeera and Bloomberg provide insight into the coalition dynamics and the fragile parliamentary majority, underscoring the risks of legislative gridlock. Together, these sources paint a picture of a historic but contentious premiership marked by conservative policies, political fragility, and limited progress on gender equality.
How we got here
The LDP’s July 2025 election loss ended a long-standing coalition with Komeito, triggering a political crisis. Sanae Takaichi won the LDP leadership in early October but had to secure a new coalition with the Japan Innovation Party to claim the premiership. Her rise marks a historic first for Japan, a country with low gender equality rankings and a history of frequent prime ministerial turnover.
Go deeper
- What challenges does Takaichi face as Japan's first female prime minister?
- How does Takaichi's political stance affect Japan's gender equality policies?
- What is the significance of the LDP's coalition with the Japan Innovation Party?
Common question
-
What Does France's Political Future Look Like After the Recent Elections?
France's political landscape is currently in flux following recent elections, with President Macron considering a historic move to appoint a left-wing prime minister. Meanwhile, the far-right National Rally continues to gain support, raising questions about the country's direction. In this page, we explore what these developments mean for France's stability, governance, and future policies. If you're wondering how these changes could impact France and Europe, read on for answers to the most common questions about France's post-election political scene.
-
How Safe Are School Buildings Worldwide?
School safety is a major concern around the globe, especially after recent incidents like building collapses and unsafe construction practices. Many wonder how common these issues are, what safety measures are in place, and how different countries handle school safety. In this page, we explore the risks faced by school buildings and what can be done to improve safety for students everywhere.
-
What’s Causing the Political Deadlock in France Right Now?
France is currently facing a period of political instability, with a deadlock that’s challenging the government’s ability to pass reforms. This situation raises questions about what’s behind the gridlock, how public opinion is shaping elections, and what risks this instability might pose for the country’s future. Below, we explore the key issues fueling France’s political crisis and what it could mean for citizens and policymakers alike.
-
What’s Next for France After the Election Tensions?
France's political landscape is currently in flux following recent elections, with rising support for far-right parties and debates over government reforms. Many are wondering what the future holds for French politics—will Macron's government stabilize, or are more upheavals ahead? Below, we explore the key questions about France’s political future and what to watch for in the coming months.
More on these topics
-
Sanae Takaichi is a conservative Japanese politician.
-
The Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, frequently abbreviated to LDP or Jimintō, is a conservative political party in Japan.
The LDP has almost continuously been in power since its foundation in 1955—a period called the 1955 System—with the exception
-
Komeito, formerly New Komeito, is a centre to centre-right conservative political party in Japan founded by lay members of the new religious movement Soka Gakkai. Komeito became a partner of the current coalition government in 2012.
-
Shigeru Ishiba is a Japanese politician. Ishiba is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and of Heisei-Kenkyukai until 2011.
-
Japan is an island country of East Asia in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It borders the Sea of Japan to the west and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.
-
Yuichiro Tamaki is a Japanese politician and the leader of the Democratic Party for the People. He is a member of the House of Representatives, and a former leader of Kibō no Tō. Before joining Kibō, Tamaki was a member of the Democratic Party.
-
The Japan Innovation Party (日本維新の会, Nippon Ishin no Kai; Japan Restoration Association) is a conservative, centre-right to right-wing and populist political party in Japan. Formed as Initiatives from Osaka in October 2015 from a split in the o
-
Shinzō Abe is a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan and President of the Liberal Democratic Party from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020. He is the longest-serving prime minister in Japanese history.
-
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
-
Yoshihiko Noda is a Japanese politician who was Prime Minister of Japan from 2011 to 2012. He was a member of the Democratic Party, and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet.
-
Hirofumi Yoshimura is a Japanese politician currently serving as the Governor of Osaka. He assumed office in April 2019.
-
Tetsuo Saito is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet. Saito is currently serving his fifth term in the Lower House by Chugoku proportional election and is the Minister of the Environment.
-
The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan; CDP, frequently abbreviated to Minshutō, Rikkentō or Ritsumintō is a centre-left political party in Japan. The party is led by Yukio Edano.
-
Yasukuni Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Chiyoda, Tokyo. It was founded by Emperor Meiji in June 1869 and commemorates those who died in service of Japan from the Boshin War of 1868–1869 through the First Indochina War of 1946–1954.
-
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, LG, OM, DStJ, PC, FRS, HonFRSC was a British stateswoman who served as prime minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990.