Japan’s Quest for an Iron Lady
In a landmark moment for Japanese politics, Sanae Takaichi has emerged as the LDP’s leader on its 70th anniversary, setting a clear course toward becoming Japan’s first female prime minister. Drawing comparisons to Margaret Thatcher, whose nickname as the “Iron Lady” symbolized resolve and reform, Takaichi has framed her campaign around a vision of strength, steadiness, and national resilience amid economic and demographic pressures.
From Humble Roots to Political Power
Born in Nara Prefecture in 1961, Takaichi’s upbringing diverged from political expectation. Her father worked as an office employee while her mother served as a police officer. A former TV host and, intriguingly, a drummer in a heavy metal band, she carried multiple drumsticks as a symbolic badge of decisiveness—an emblem that later echoed in her relentless public life. She also enjoys diving and car culture, with a Toyota Supra closely tied to her personal history and even displayed in a local museum.
A Path to the LDP and a Politician with a pinned Ideal
Takaichi’s political awakening came in the 1980s, during tense US–Japan trade friction. She spent time in the office of U.S. Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder to understand how Americans perceived Japan, watching how Japan, China, and Korea could be misread or conflated. This experience fortified her belief that Japan must defend itself and articulate its own narrative rather than be shaped by external opinions.
Her first bid for parliament in 1992 as an independent ended in defeat, but she persisted, winning a seat the following year and joining the LDP in 1996. Since then, she has been elected as an MP ten times with only one loss, building a reputation as one of the party’s most vocal conservatives. Her ascent has included senior roles such as minister for economic security, state minister for trade and industry, and a record-setting tenure as minister for internal affairs and communications.
Three Attempts, One Ambition
Takaichi’s leadership campaigns in 2021, 2024, and 2025 chart a determined arc toward power. After two prior defeats—first to Fumio Kishida and then narrowly lagging in a second bid against rival Shigeru Ishiba—she finally secured victory this year. Her campaign slogan, blunt and unapologetic, echoed her long-standing ambition to embody an “Iron Lady” for Japan.
A Conservative, Yet Pragmatic Reformer
On social policy, Takaichi has long resisted measures such as allowing married women to retain maiden names, arguing they threaten tradition. She has also signaled opposition to same-sex marriage. Yet during her campaign she showed a willingness to soften positions: proposing partial tax relief for babysitter fees and corporate tax breaks for firms offering on-site childcare, signaling a more nuanced stance on family and work-life balance. Her proposals aim to expand hospital services for women’s health, give household support workers greater recognition, and improve care for Japan’s aging society. She also highlighted her own caregiving experiences to explain her policy priorities: reducing the number of people who quit jobs due to caregiving, child-rearing, or schooling issues, in order to enable women and families to maintain their careers.
Economic Vision and Foreign Policy Stance
A staunch conservative, Takaichi is a protégé of the late Shinzo Abe and has pledged to revive his economic blueprint, Abenomics, advocating higher public spending and accessible borrowing to stimulate growth. On security, she supports easing constitutional constraints on Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and expanding Japan’s defense capabilities, a stance that aligns with broader LDP debates about regional security in the face of regional tensions.
Controversies and the Road Ahead
Her leadership comes with controversy, including regular visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors war dead and has drawn criticism from neighboring countries. As the LDP attempts to regain voter trust amid scandals and a shifting political landscape, Takaichi’s command of the party represents both a return to traditional conservative strength and a test of whether a more assertive, right-leaning stance can win broad public support. The party’s goal remains to reclaim a stable governing mandate amid demographic decline, a tepid economy, and social discontent.
What Comes Next
With Parliament expected to confirm her as prime minister on 15 October, the question is whether Takaichi can translate her iron-fisted rhetoric into broadly appealing governance. Her path will depend on balancing the demands of conservative voters with the broader needs of a shrinking, aging society, all while navigating the delicate politics of Japan’s long-standing ruling coalition.
