Japan elected its first female prime minister on Tuesday (21). Sanae Takaichi, a member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), was confirmed by Parliament after forming a new coalition with the right-wing Innovation Japan (Ishin) party. The vote took place just days after the resignation of Shigeru Ishiba, who left the post of prime minister.
With 237 votes, Takaichi surpassed the required majority in the Lower House and is expected to be confirmed in the Upper House as well. Her ascension breaks a decades-old taboo in a country where politics remains dominated by men. Besides symbolizing gender advancement, her victory solidifies a conservative shift in Tokyo, with direct repercussions for both domestic politics and Japan’s international relations, according to a Reuters report.
Takaichi’s victory represents a shift to the right in Japanese politics and consolidates Ishin’s hold on power after the breakdown of the former alliance between the LDP and Komeito.
The new coalition and government plans
The agreement with Ishin was decisive for Takaichi’s election. The party, founded in Osaka in 2010, advocates a hardline agenda on issues such as immigration and national security. Among its proposals are limiting the number of foreign residents and restricting property purchases by foreign investors.
The party also shares Takaichi’s goal of revising the pacifist constitution and expanding Japan’s military capabilities in response to regional tensions, especially with China.
Formation of the new cabinet
Shortly after the victory, the new Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minoru Kihara, announced the names of his cabinet members. Among the key ministers are:
• Toshimitsu Motegi , Foreign Affairs and Chief Trade Negotiator with the US
• Yoshimasa Hayashi , Internal Affairs and Communications
• Satsuki Katayama , Finance
• Ryosei Akazawa , Commerce and Industry
• Shinjiro Koizumi , Defense
• Minoru Kiuchi , Economic Revitalization
• Kimi Onoda , Economic Security
Katayama’s selection as Finance Minister caught the attention of markets, as the economist advocates greater intervention to stabilize the yen and bold economic stimulus measures.
Economy in focus
Shunichi Suzuki, secretary-general of the LDP, said in an interview with broadcaster NHK that the immediate priority will be to contain rising prices:
Takaichi, for her part, advocates expansionary fiscal policies and greater government intervention in the Bank of Japan. The new prime minister has already declared her intention to launch an economic package accompanied by a supplementary budget.
Market and international community reactions
According to Reuters, Takaichi’s election brought relief to investors. The Nikkei index rose, setting new records, while the dollar/yen exchange rate remained stable. Kerry Craig, a strategist at JP Morgan Asset Management, assessed that the political shift restores predictability to the country: “Japan appears to be on safer ground. Now we have the removal of that political uncertainty.”
The first official greetings came from abroad. The United States Ambassador to Tokyo, George Glass, congratulated the new leader in a message posted on the X network.
A profile inspired by Margaret Thatcher
The daughter of an auto worker and a police officer, Sanae Takaichi has a distinguished career within the Japanese political elite. A former Minister of Economic Security and Home Affairs, she often cites former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as an inspiration. “I admired her strength of character, her convictions, and, at the same time, her ‘warm femininity,'” Takaichi said, recalling her encounter with Thatcher shortly before her death in 2013.
Despite the reference to the “Iron Lady,” Takaichi adopts different positions on economics: while Thatcher advocated austerity, the new Japanese prime minister is betting on public spending and tax cuts to stimulate growth.
Source: brasil247.com