First woman to hold the position; Takaichi secures majority in both houses
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, on her victory. He expressed his eagerness to further strengthen the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan.
Takaichi was elected as Japan’s Prime Minister on Tuesday following a crucial vote in the national parliament—marking a historic moment as she becomes the first woman ever to hold the position in Japan’s political history. Japan’s parliament consists of two houses—the Upper House and the Lower House—both of which granted her a clear majority.
In the Upper House, Takaichi received 125 votes, just one vote above the required majority, while in the Lower House she secured 237 votes, comfortably surpassing the threshold. Taking to X, Prime Minister Modi wrote:
“Heartiest congratulations, Sanae Takaichi, on being elected as the Prime Minister of Japan. I look forward to working closely with you to further deepen the India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Our growing ties are vital for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.”
Sanae Takaichi’s political journey has been both fascinating and inspiring. She began her career as a television anchor before entering politics in 1993 as an independent member of Japan’s Lower House. Since then, she has remained an active political figure representing her home region of Nara.
In 1996, Takaichi joined the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), strengthening her political standing. Her first cabinet role came under former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, when she served as Minister for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs. Later, she became the first woman to chair the LDP’s Policy Research Council—an acknowledgment of her leadership and policy acumen.
From 2022 to 2024, Takaichi served as Japan’s Minister for Economic Security. She also holds the distinction of being the longest-serving Minister of Internal Affairs in Japan’s history. A long-standing influential voice within the LDP, she was elected as the party’s leader last Saturday after winning 185 votes, defeating her rival Shinjiro, who garnered 156 votes.
The leadership contest was competitive, as no candidate achieved a majority in the first round. Takaichi will now complete the remainder of former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s term, which runs until September 2027.
Japan currently faces major economic challenges, including recession, rising inflation, and a weakening yen—all of which have intensified public discontent. Recent electoral setbacks for the LDP have also raised concerns about its leadership. In this context, the party faces the formidable task of maintaining unity, efficiently managing a minority government, and restoring public confidence in its ability to deliver stable and effective governance.
