Japan is on the verge of appointing its first female prime minister after Sanae Takaichi was elected leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).&nbsp;
Her victory virtually guarantees her elevation to the country&rsquo;s top post later this month.
Takaichi, a right-wing conservative known for her admiration of Margaret Thatcher and her vision of a &ldquo;strong and prosperous&rdquo; Japan, defeated her moderate opponent Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff vote held at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo on Saturday.
The leadership contest was triggered by the resignation of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who stepped down after just a year in office. 
Ishiba, a centrist figure whose win last year had angered the party&rsquo;s conservative faction, said it was time for the LDP to &ldquo;find a new direction.&rdquo;
At 64, Takaichi takes charge of a party still reeling from two major election setbacks over the past year, following public anger over a funding scandal and its failure to control rising living costs.&nbsp;
According to an Associated Press report, women within the LDP often face systemic barriers, receiving few high-profile portfolios and limited space to advocate for&nbsp;diversity and gender equality.
Currently, women account for just 15% of Japan&rsquo;s lower house, the more influential chamber of parliament, and only two of the 47 prefectural governors are female.
Despite her historic rise, doubts persist over Takaichi&rsquo;s commitment to advancing women&rsquo;s rights. 
Critics point to her close ties with male party power brokers and her past opposition to reforms promoting gender equality.&nbsp;
She has long endorsed the LDP&rsquo;s traditional view that women should prioritize roles as mothers and wives.
Takaichi also opposes same-sex marriage, changes to male-only imperial succession, and legal provisions that would allow married couples to keep separate surnames. 
However, she has publicly shared her struggles with menopausal symptoms, urging greater education for men on women&rsquo;s health issues to help improve understanding in workplaces and schools.
A Veteran Conservative Leader
Born in Nara Prefecture, Takaichi entered parliament in 1993 and has since held key positions, including minister of economic security, internal affairs, and gender equality.
An admirer of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi is seen as a staunch supporter of Shinzo Abe&rsquo;s conservative vision for Japan, which blends nationalism with economic revitalization and traditional social values.

Sanae Takaichi celebrating LDP leadership win Japan

Sanae Takaichi wins LDP leadership, set to become Japan’s first-ever female prime minister

Sanae Takaichi To Be Japan’s First Woman PM

Sanae Takaichi wins LDP leadership, set to become Japan’s first-ever female prime minister

October 4, 2025 | 21:05 IST