Kathmandu – Japan has made history with the election of Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first female prime minister, breaking a political barrier that has stood since the nation’s modern government was established more than 130 years ago.
Takaichi, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), secured victory in the first round of parliamentary voting held at 1:30 p.m. local time, winning the majority needed to claim the top post.
Her win follows a last-minute agreement between the LDP and the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), which had placed her just two votes short of the required majority.
Following her election, Takaichi is expected to announce her cabinet members and attend an imperial endorsement ceremony at the royal palace later in the day.
A press conference is scheduled for late tonight, where she will outline her government’s immediate priorities.
Before entering politics, Takaichi had an unconventional background, she was a television presenter and a member of a heavy metal band, known for her energetic drumming style.
Over the years, she rose through Japan’s male-dominated political ranks, serving multiple times as a minister and becoming one of the most prominent conservative figures in the LDP.
Now, as Japan’s first woman to hold the nation’s highest office, Takaichi faces formidable challenges, a sluggish economy, stagnant wages amid rising living costs, an aging population, and a declining birth rate.
On the global stage, she must navigate growing geopolitical tensions in Asia and manage complex trade relations with the United States, including tariff agreements made under the previous administration.
Her historic ascent is not just a political milestone but also a symbolic moment for Japan a country where leadership has long been dominated by men.
As Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi now carries the hopes of many who see her rise as a new chapter for gender equality and political transformation in Japan.
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