Japan gets new PM: Sanae Takaichi becomes first woman to hold top post; known as 'China hawk'

Sanae Takaichi made history on Tuesday, winning Japan’s parliamentary vote to become the nation’s first female prime minister. Her victory was met with enthusiasm in domestic stock markets.

Takaichi secured 237 votes in the first round in the 465-seat Lower House, eliminating the need for a runoff, according to public broadcaster NHK.


Her election follows a weekend agreement between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party to form a coalition government.

Takaichi will succeed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, ending a three-month political deadlock following the Liberal Democratic Party's poor showing in the July elections. Ishiba, who served only one year, resigned along with his Cabinet earlier Tuesday, clearing the way for his successor.

“Political stability is essential right now,” Takaichi said at Monday’s signing ceremony with JIP leader and Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura. “Without stability, we cannot push measures for a strong economy or diplomacy.”

How did the voting work?

A candidate who secures a simple majority in both the lower and upper houses of parliament is elected prime minister.

If no candidate achieves this, a run-off is held between the two with the most votes from the first round. In the run-off, the candidate with the most votes wins, even without a majority, as cited by Reuters.

If the two chambers disagree, the lower house’s decision takes precedence.

After being elected prime minister, Takaichi is expected to form a Cabinet including several allies of LDP kingmaker Taro Aso and other supporters from the party leadership vote.

What to expect from Japan’s new PM?

Takaichi is among Japanese politicians who have opposed measures for women’s advancement. She supports male-only succession in the imperial family, opposes same-sex marriage, and is against allowing married couples to have separate surnames, as cited by AP.

A protégé of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi is expected to follow his policies, including strengthening the military and economy and revising Japan’s pacifist constitution.

Takaichi, who admires Britain’s first female prime minister Margaret Thatcher and calls herself Japan’s "Iron Lady," has drawn criticism for her hardline conservative views.

Opponents, including former Premier Kishida, have labeled her "Taliban Takaichi." She is a wartime history revisionist, takes a hawkish stance on China, and frequently visits the Yasukuni Shrine, a symbol of militarism. However, she has not confirmed if she will continue this practice as prime minister.

PM Modi congratulates Japan's elected Prime Minister

PM Modi on Tuesday congratulated Sanae Takaichi on her election as Japan’s prime minister and said he looked forward to working together further to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

"I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Sanae Takaichi upon her appointement as Prime Minister of Japan. I look forward to working closely together to further evolve the special strategic global partnership that Japan and India have built. A stronger Japan-India relationship is an indespinsable element for achieving peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond," PM Modi said through a post on X.