Japan’s Parliament voted in ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi as the nation’s first female prime minister on Tuesday, following her party’s coalition agreement with a new partner, expected to shift her governing bloc further to the right. Takaichi took over from Shigeru Ishiba, ending a three-month political void after the Liberal Democratic Party’s election setback in July. Ishiba, who served as prime minister for just a year, resigned along with his Cabinet earlier in the day to pave the way for his successor.
The Liberal Democratic Party’s alliance with the Osaka-based right-wing Japan Innovation Party secured Takaichi’s premiership due to a lack of unity among the opposition. However, her untested coalition still lacks a majority in both houses of parliament, necessitating the need to engage with other opposition factions to pass legislation, posing a risk to the stability and longevity of her government.
In a statement during the signing ceremony with the Japan Innovation Party leader and Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura, Takaichi emphasized the importance of political stability for advancing economic and diplomatic measures. The coalition agreement between the two parties highlighted Takaichi’s hawkish and nationalistic perspectives.
The last-minute deal came after the Liberal Democrats parted ways with their longstanding partner, the Buddhist-backed Komeito party, which holds a more moderate stance. This breakup posed a potential shift in power for the Liberal Democratic Party, which has dominated Japanese politics for decades.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended congratulations to Takaichi, expressing anticipation for bolstering India-Japan relations. Later, Takaichi, aged 64, is set to announce a Cabinet comprising allies of Taro Aso, a prominent figure in the Liberal Democratic Party, and supporters from the party’s leadership vote. The Japan Innovation Party will not hold ministerial positions in Takaichi’s Cabinet until ensuring a stable partnership with the LDP, as stated by Yoshimura.
With imminent tasks such as delivering a major policy speech, engaging with US President Donald Trump, and attending regional summits, Takaichi faces pressing issues like economic revitalization and addressing public concerns by late December. Despite being Japan’s first female Prime Minister, Takaichi appears indifferent to promoting gender equality or diversity, aligning with her history of obstructing women’s advancement and opposing progressive stances on societal issues.
A protege of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi is anticipated to continue Abe’s policies focusing on bolstering the military, economy, and potentially amending Japan’s pacifist constitution. However, given the uncertainty surrounding her grip on power, the extent of Takaichi’s policy accomplishments remains unclear.
Komeito’s departure from the coalition was attributed to dissatisfaction with the Liberal Democratic Party’s handling of corruption scandals leading to electoral losses. Concerns were also raised regarding Takaichi’s revisionist stance on Japan’s wartime history, visits to Yasukuni Shrine, seen as provocative by Beijing and Seoul, and her controversial remarks.
Takaichi has moderated her hawkish rhetoric, opting to send a religious offering rather than physically visiting Yasukuni Shrine recently. These developments indicate a shift in her approach to sensitive historical and diplomatic issues.