Japan Elects Sanae Takaichi First Female Prime Minister Amid Political Shift

Sanae Takaichi has made history as Japan's first female prime minister, elected as leader of the conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Despite this milestone, her ultraconservative views have raised concerns, as she opposes same-sex marriage, favors male primogeniture in the imperial succession, and resists changes like allowing married women to keep their maiden names. Takaichi's leadership follows a fragile coalition agreement between the LDP and the Japan Innovation Party, which helped secure a parliamentary majority after the ruling coalition lost control of both houses. Her cabinet appointments include two women, signaling a modest step for gender representation in a country ranked low on the Global Gender Gap Report. Known for her hardline nationalist stance, Takaichi advocates revising Japan's pacifist constitution and strengthening ties with Taiwan, which could impact regional dynamics with China. A protégé of the late Shinzo Abe, she combines traditionalism with a personal passion for heavy metal music and drumming, underscoring a complex blend of change and continuity in Japanese politics.