TOKYO: Japan’s parliament has elected Sanae Takaichi, an ultraconservative lawmaker and head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), as the nation’s first female prime minister marking a historic moment that also signals a further shift to the right in Japanese politics.
Takaichi, 63, was chosen Tuesday after her party struck a last-minute coalition agreement with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party (Ishin no Kai) to secure a parliamentary majority. She succeeds Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned earlier in the day after the LDP suffered heavy losses in July’s elections.
Takaichi won 237 votes, narrowly clearing the majority threshold in the powerful lower house, defeating opposition leader Yoshikoko Noda of the Constitutional Democratic Party, who received 149 votes. As the result was announced, Takaichi stood and bowed deeply to applause from lawmakers.
Though she has made history as Japan’s first woman to hold the top office, Takaichi is not seen as a feminist figure.
A close ally and protégé of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, she has long opposed progressive reforms such as same-sex marriage, separate surnames for married couples, and female succession to Japan’s imperial throne.
Despite pledging to increase female representation in leadership, Takaichi appointed just two women to her cabinet: Satsuki Katayama as finance minister and Kimi Onoda as economic security minister.
“Her victory is symbolic but troubling, said Soshi Matsuoka, a Tokyo-based LGBTQ+ rights advocate. Takaichi’s deeply conservative views could set back gender equality and sexual minority rights.
Others, however, view her ascent as a major milestone for women in Japan’s male-dominated political arena.
I never thought a woman could win this post, said Takayuki Eguchi, 62, a Tokyo resident celebrating with a special edition newspaper.
I hope her leadership brings change and restores Japan’s global image.
