Sanae Takaichi, the leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, secured the lower house’s vote on Tuesday, paving the way for her to become the country’s first female prime minister. She received 237 votes out of the 465-seat chamber, according to parliamentary officials.
Takaichi is expected to be approved by the upper house and inaugurated as Japan’s 104th prime minister later in the day, succeeding outgoing leader Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned last month following electoral setbacks.
Looking forward, she is anticipated to appoint Satsuki Katayama, a protégé of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, as finance minister, a move that would make Katayama Japan’s first female finance chief, according to domestic media reports. Both appointments represent a significant change in a country where women remain underrepresented in politics and corporate leadership.
However, the leadership is seen as signaling a rightward shift, particularly on immigration and social policy, rather than a broader embrace of progressive reform. Takaichi’s government takes office as Japan navigates rising inflation, following years of deflation, a trend that has increased support for opposition parties, including the far-right Sanseito party.
