A historic event unfolded in Japanese politics with the inauguration of Sanae Takaichi as the first female Prime Minister in 140 years. Takaichi, the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, secured a majority in the parliamentary Prime Minister designation election on October 21, becoming the 104th Prime Minister of Japan. This marked the first time since the introduction of the parliamentary cabinet system in 1885 that a woman assumed the role of Japanese Prime Minister.
Upon taking office, Prime Minister Takaichi declared a vision for a “strong Japan,” clearly outlining her direction for governance. She hinted at the possibility of revising the three security documents and the three non-nuclear principles, sparking public discourse on the path toward a militarized nation.
Known for her hardline conservative stance and often referred to as the “female Abe,” she has a pronounced right-wing approach to historical and security issues. Concerns arose that the Japan-South Korea relations, which had somewhat relaxed during former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s tenure, might regress. However, she has shown some moderated actions, such as postponing visits to the Yasukuni Shrine. In her first summit with South Korea, she emphasized the need for a future-oriented and stable development of bilateral relations.
The most pronounced conflict was with China. By mentioning the potential involvement of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces in the event of a Taiwan contingency, tensions between China and Japan sharply escalated. China responded with comprehensive pressure in trade, tourism, and cultural sectors, and recent incidents like the radar targeting of Japanese fighter jets have further increased military tensions.
Domestically, anti-China sentiment has bolstered Prime Minister Takaichi’s support, yet public anxiety about the prolonged nature of foreign conflicts is spreading alongside her rising approval ratings.