Sanae Takaichi has been elected as the new leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party LDP and is likely to become Japan first woman PM. She won the leadership vote beating Shinjiro Koizumi in a run off after no candidate received a majority in the first round.
If she becomes prime minister Takaichi will face major challenges including Japan’s ageing population economic growth and immigration issues. She also needs to strengthen the LDP and build trust with voters after recent election losses.
The vote involved 295 LDP parliamentarians and about 1 million party members. Although the LDP is still the largest party in parliament Takaichi will need support from opposition parties to govern effectively. She may expand the coalition with the centrist Komeito party to maintain a working majority.
Takaichi has supported strong monetary easing and large fiscal spending in the past. She has also taken a moderate stance on China while maintaining traditional views within the LDP. Experts note she does not focus on women’s rights or gender equality policies despite being likely the first woman to lead Japan.
Her first diplomatic test may be a summit with US President Donald Trump during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in late October. Takaichi’s leadership marks a historic moment as she moves closer to becoming Japan first woman PM.
