October 1, 2026
TOKYO (AP) — Japan's parliament elected Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first female prime minister Tuesday, a day after her Liberal Democratic Party struck a coalition deal with a new partner.
Takaichi replaces Shigeru Ishiba, ending a three-month political vacuum and wrangling since the Liberal Democratic Party's disastrous election loss in July.
Ishiba, who lasted only one year as prime minister, resigned with his Cabinet earlier in the day, paving the way for his successor.
Takaichi won 237 votes — four more than a majority — compared to 149 won by Yoshikoko Noda, the head of the largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. The vote took place in the lower house, the more powerful of Japan's two chambers of parliament and the one that chooses the prime minister.
As the results were announced, Takaichi stood up and bowed deeply.
An admirer of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and allowing separate surnames for married couples. Takaichi appointed two women ministers to the cabinet — Satsuki Katayama as finance minister and Kimi Onoda as economic security minister.
Takayuki Eguchi, a 62-year-old Tokyo resident, was doubtful that a woman would even be able to get the votes. He celebrated her achievement by collecting a free special newspaper edition distributed on Tuesday. He said her election created hope and expectation, given the problems women have in advancing in Japan.
“I really hope she serves for a long time, and that the political stagnation we’ve been seeing finally starts to move, and that things improve in Japan and in the eyes of the world," Eguchi said.
The LDP's alliance with the Japan Innovation Party, or Ishin no Kai, ensured her premiership because the opposition is not united. Takaichi's untested alliance is still short of a majority in both houses of parliament and will need to court other opposition groups to pass any legislation — a risk that could make her government unstable and short-lived.
Takaichi is preparing for a major policy speech later this week, talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, and regional summits during which she also needs to ensure stable ties with China and South Korea. She needs to quickly tackle rising prices and compile economy-boosting measures by late December to address public frustration.
Takaichi was first elected to parliament in 1993 and has served in a number of senior party and government posts, including as minister of economic security and internal affairs.
A protege of assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi is expected to emulate his policies, including a stronger military and economy, as well as revising Japan’s pacifist constitution.
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