Sanae Takaichi has become the Japan’s first female Prime Minister. The Upper House has elected Ms Takaichi as Prime Minister. She received 125 votes in the Upper House, just one vote above the simple majority necessary for victory. She secured 237 votes in the Lower House, exceeding the required majority of 233.
A former television anchor, Takaichi entered Japanese politics in 1993, winning a seat in the Lower House as an independent. The 64-year-old lawmaker currently represents her home prefecture of Nara. Ms Takaichi joined Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party in 1996 and entered the Cabinet for the first time under former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. She held the position of the Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs. From 2022 to 2024, Takaichi was Japan’s Economic Security Minister.
Sluggish economic growth, rising prices and a sharp depreciation of the yen are some of the major challenges before Sanae Takaichi’s government.