Japan’s governing party on Saturday elected former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, a hard-line ultra-conservative as its new leader, making her likely to become the country’s first female prime minister.
The 64-year-old Takaichi makes history as the first female leader of Japan’s long-governing conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in a country rated low in gender equality.
Takaichi is one of the most conservative members of the male-dominated party.
An admirer of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi is a protege of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ‘s ultra-conservative vision.
She defeated Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, the son of popular former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, in a runoff in a vote by the LDP on Saturday.
Takaichi replaces Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as the party hopes to regain public support and stay in power after major election losses.
She is likely to be Japan’s next prime minister because the party remains by far the largest in the lower house, which determines the national leader, and because opposition groups are highly splintered.
”Now that the LDP has its first female president, its scenery will change a little,” Takaichi said as she tried out the president’s chair.
Takaichi later said she will immediately work on stemming rising prices, while also focusing on diplomatic and security challenges.
A parliamentary vote is expected in mid-October. The LDP, which has been criticized by opposition leaders for creating a prolonged political vacuum, said Takaichi needs to hurry because the winner will soon face a diplomatic test: a possible summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, who could demand that Japan increase its defence spending.
A meeting is reportedly being planned for late October. Trump will travel to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea starting Oct. 31.
Takaichi said ensuring the Japan-U.S. alliance is her top diplomatic priority.
“It is essential to … confirm the reinforcement of the Japan-U.S. alliance,” she said.
Takaichi stressed the importance of their cooperation through three-way frameworks that also include regional partners such as South Korea, Australia and the Philippines, pledging Japan’s greater role in achieving a free and open Indo-Pacific.
She said she respects all tariffs and investment agreements struck between Tokyo and Washington under the Ishiba government.
