Japan’s Iron Lady?

Sanae Takaichi’s election as leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on October 4, 2025, positions her to become the country’s first female prime minister. Although she narrowly lost to Shigeru Ishiba in last year’s leadership race, the former economic security minister surprised observers by defeating agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi, widely viewed as the frontrunner, according to a Nikkei analysis.

Takaichi represents the LDP’s conservative wing and is considered a protégé of the late prime minister Shinzo Abe. An admirer of former British leader Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi espouses staunchly conservative views, including support for male-only imperial succession, revisionist interpretations of wartime history, opposition to same-sex marriage, and strict anti-immigration policies. Her regular visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which honors, among others, convicted war criminals, have long strained Japan’s relations with its East Asian neighbors. During her recent campaign, however, Takaichi sought to moderate her image. Referencing the rise of the Sanseito and the newly established Conservative Party of Japan, she recently remarked, “I don’t want to be pigeonholed just as a conservative. I’m more of a moderate conservative now that all these parties have come out.”

Despite her historic election, Takaichi is unlikely to advance women’s rights. Her victory speech also drew criticism after she declared, “I will scrap my work-life balance and work and work and work and work and work.” The comment was widely seen as tone-deaf in a country grappling with the deadly consequences of overwork—known as “karōshi”—and ongoing efforts to promote workplace reform.

In foreign policy, Takaichi is unlikely to deviate significantly from Japan’s current trajectory. The US-Japan alliance will remain the cornerstone of Tokyo’s diplomacy, complemented by deeper engagement with partners in Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and the Global South. Nonetheless, several challenges loom, including the implementation of the US-Japan trade agreement and upcoming negotiations on host-nation support. Takaichi’s limited profile in Washington could complicate her outreach, and her association with Shinzo Abe may not get her far with Trump 2.0. Meanwhile, given the progressive administration in South Korea led by President Lee Jae-myung, her rise could also heighten tensions between Tokyo and Seoul. This in turn could potentially undermine the trilateral US-Japan-South Korea partnership.

Takaichi herself acknowledged the daunting task ahead, saying after her victory, “I’m feeling how tough it’s going to be from here on, rather than feeling happy.” Revitalizing the LDP and regaining public trust will not be easy. Her election appears, in part, to be an attempt to reclaim conservative voters who defected to smaller right-wing populist parties in July’s election. Yet her recent effort to soften her rhetoric may leave her caught between appeasing the party’s far-right base and maintaining support among moderates. This balancing act risks blurring her political message over time. Moreover, to enact her policy agenda, Takaichi will need to collaborate with the opposition. This slow and contentious process will test her leadership and effectiveness as Japan’s next prime minister at a time of domestic and global uncertainty.