Who Is Sanae Takaichi? Meet Japan’s ‘Iron Lady’ and First Female Prime Minister
In a historic political shift, Japan has elected Sanae Takaichi as its first woman prime minister, ending nearly 80 years of all-male leadership. The long-time conservative leader, often described as Japan’s “Iron Lady,” secured victory in the Lower House on Tuesday, receiving 237 votes out of 465 to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who stepped down following his party’s electoral losses. Her appointment, confirmed by the Upper House, officially marks her as Japan’s 104th prime minister.
From Metal Drummer to Prime Minister
Born in 1961 in Nara Prefecture, Takaichi’s journey to the top stands apart from Japan’s elite political class. Her father worked an office job, and her mother served as a police officer a humble background compared to many of her peers in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who tend to come from prestigious universities like Tokyo University or Harvard.
Before stepping into politics, Takaichi lived an unconventional life for a future leader. A passionate heavy metal drummer in her youth, she was known for breaking drumsticks mid-performance and always keeping spare pairs. She also loved scuba diving and cars; her cherished Toyota Supra is now exhibited in a Nara museum, according to BBC reports.
Also read: Visa Fee : US Offers Clarity On $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee, Read Who Pays And Who Is Exempted
A Kobe University graduate, Takaichi began her career as a television presenter before developing a keen interest in politics during the 1980s amid rising US-Japan trade tensions. Seeking to understand American perceptions of Japan, she worked in the office of US congresswoman Patricia Schroeder, who was then a vocal critic of Japanese trade practices.
The Rise of a Conservative Powerhouse
Takaichi’s first attempt to enter Japan’s parliament came in 1992 as an independent, but she lost the race. She tried again the following year, won, and joined the LDP in 1996. Since then, she has served ten terms in parliament, losing only once a record that solidified her image as one of the most enduring and outspoken conservative voices in Japanese politics.
Over her long career, Takaichi has held several high-profile cabinet roles, including Minister for Economic Security, State Minister for Trade and Industry, and Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications the latter post she held for a record term.
Takaichi made her first bid for leadership of the LDP in 2021 but lost to Fumio Kishida. She contested again in 2024, leading in early rounds but was ultimately defeated by Shigeru Ishiba. On her third try this year, she clinched victory, becoming the first woman to lead Japan’s government, a moment widely seen as groundbreaking for the country’s political future.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended congratulations to Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s newly-elected and first woman Prime Minister. He emphasized that the ever-strengthening partnership between India and Japan plays a vital role in ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Heartiest congratulations, Sanae Takaichi, on your election as the Prime Minister of Japan. I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen the India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Our deepening ties are vital for peace, stability, and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.”