Meet Sanae Takaichi: From drummer to potential prime minister
In a landmark moment for Japanese politics, Sanae Takaichi, a long-standing conservative figure within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), clinched the party leadership on a year marked by upheaval and shifting voter loyalties. At 64, she is widely described by supporters as Japan’s potential “Iron Lady,” a nickname inspired by Baroness Margaret Thatcher and rooted in Takaichi’s unwavering belief in a strong, proactive role for the state in guiding the economy and society.
Born in Nara Prefecture in 1961, Takaichi’s path to power was far from scripted. Her father was an office worker and her mother a police officer, and she once lived a life far removed from the marble halls of power. An unusual pre-political twist—she was a heavy metal drummer who reportedly carried multiple drumsticks to avoid breaks during electrifying performances—added a dash of public intrigue to her image. She was also a scuba diver and an outspoken car enthusiast, with a Toyota Supra eventually earning a place in a local museum.
Early career, persistence, and a mentor network
Takaichi’s foray into politics began after a stint as a television host and a deep fascination with how the United States perceived Japan during the 1980s trade frictions. Her formative experience came when she worked in the office of U.S. congresswoman Patricia Schroeder, observing how language and labels could shape international attitudes toward Japan. This experience reinforced her conviction that Japan must defend its own interests and steer its destiny rather than be subsumed by external opinions.
Her first parliamentary bid in 1992 failed as an independent, but she returned to win a seat a year later and joined the LDP in 1996. Since then, she has been elected to parliament ten times, losing just once, and built a reputation as one of the party’s most vocal conservatives. Over the years, she held senior roles, including minister for economic security, state minister for trade and industry, and a notably long tenure as minister for internal affairs and communications.
The leadership bid: a third, decisive attempt
Takaichi’s leadership ambitions have long been intertwined with her reformist yet hard-right stance on social and constitutional issues. She ran for LDP leadership in 2021, narrowly losing to Fumio Kishida, and tried again in 2024, topping the first round but falling short to Shigeru Ishiba. In 2025, she finally secured the party’s top post, announcing a bold vision that she hoped would re-energize a governing party grappling with trust amid scandals and a plateauing economy.
A platform shaped by family, public service, and economic policy
Takaichi’s policy platform draws heavily on social conservatism and a pragmatic approach to demographics and the economy. She has opposed legislation that would allow married women to keep their maiden names, arguing that such changes threaten tradition. She has also opposed same-sex marriage, reflecting a conservative social posture that resonates with core LDP supporters. Yet her campaign has shown a readiness to adapt, including calls for tax measures to ease caregiving and childcare burdens, and steps to incentivize corporate support for in-house childcare, which would help working parents balance career and family.
Challenges ahead: legitimacy, security, and the right
As she seeks parliamentary confirmation to become prime minister, Takaichi faces a party trying to win back voters disenchanted by scandals and a slow-growing economy. She inherits a party where the influence of the right wing and groups like the Sanseito faction has grown, challenging the LDP’s grip on the conservative base. Her pledge to revive Shinzo Abe’s Abenomics—embracing higher public spending and easy borrowing—signals continuity with a familiar economic playbook, even as critics warn of debt and inflation risks.
On security and constitutional reform, Takaichi has advocated easing constraints on Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, a move that would mark a significant shift in postwar policy. She has also routinely visited Yasukuni Shrine, a decision that continues to provoke regional tensions with neighboring countries and domestic opposition alike.
Looking forward
With parliament expected to confirm her prime ministership in mid-October, Takaichi’s tenure could redefine the LDP’s trajectory and Japan’s political landscape. Her leadership will test whether a strong, conservative reform agenda can translate into broad public trust and whether its more controversial elements can be balanced with policies aimed at supporting women, caregivers, and Japan’s aging society. If she succeeds, Japan may finally have its first female prime minister, and a distinctively assertive voice in Asia’s geopolitical theater.
