Japan parliament is set to elect ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first female PM on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. This follows her party’s coalition deal with a new partner that shifts her governing bloc further to the right.
Ms. Takaichi take over from PM Shigeru Ishiba, end a three-month political vacuum that followed the Liberal Democratic Party’s disastrous election loss in July.
Japan Parliament Elects Sanae Takaichi
Mr. Ishiba, who was in office for just one year, resigned with his Cabinet earlier on Tuesday. The LDP’s unexpected alliance with the Osaka-based rightwing Japan Innovation Party, or Ishin no Kai, ensures her premiership in a vote.
However, Ms. Takaichi’s untested alliance still lacks a majority in both houses of parliament. They need to seek support from other opposition groups to pass any legislation, which could make her government unstable and short-lived.
Agreement highlights Ms. Takaichi’s hawkish and nationalistic views
“Political stability is essential right now,” Ms. Takaichi said at the signing ceremony with JIP leader and Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura on Monday, October 20, 2025. “Without stability, we cannot push measures for a strong economy or diplomacy.” The two parties in Japan signed a coalition agreement highlighting Ms. Takaichi’s hawkish and nationalistic views.
Their last-minute deal on Monday, October 20, 2025, came 10 days after the Liberal Democrats lost their longtime partner, the Buddhist-backed Komeito, which has a more moderate and centrist stance. This breakup raised concerns about a possible shift in power for the LDP, which has governed Japan almost continuously for decades.
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