Takaichi becomes Japan’s first woman PM

Japan’s lower house of parliament on Tuesday elected Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first female prime minister, marking a historic moment in Japanese politics.

The 64-year-old conservative, known for her criticism of China, secured 237 votes, comfortably exceeding the majority threshold in the 465-seat chamber.

Takaichi is expected to be endorsed by the upper house and sworn in this evening as Japan’s 104th prime minister, succeeding Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned last month following election losses.

A former heavy metal drummer, Takaichi became leader of the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on October 4 amid declining public support. The Komeito party subsequently left the coalition, citing discomfort with her conservative views and the LDP’s slush fund scandal.

The split led Takaichi to form an alliance with the right-leaning Japan Innovation Party (JIP), which supports policies including abolishing food consumption tax and reducing the number of MPs.

Outlining her agenda, Takaichi pledged to “make Japan’s economy stronger, and reshape Japan as a country that can be responsible for future generations.”

In her hometown of Nara, 76-year-old pensioner Toru Takahashi welcomed the result, telling AFP: “She’s a strong-minded person, regardless of being a woman. She’s clear about what’s right and wrong.”