Takaichi elected as Japan’s first female PM

The leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Sanae Takaichi, has been elected as the country’s first female prime minister.

Takaichi won the lower house vote to emerge as the prime minister in the early hours of Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

She would be inaugurated as the country’s first female premier later in the day, according to Reuters.

The 64-year-old, who won the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership this month, has positioned herself as a hardliner focused on defence and economic security.

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After forging a last-minute coalition deal, Takaichi was confirmed by parliament as the country’s first woman head of government and Japan’s fifth leader in as many years.

Voters have been deserting the long-dominant LDP in droves because of inflation and a recent slush fund scandal, while the anti-immigration Sanseito party has been gaining ground.

The Star