Last Updated:October 21, 2025, 11:22 IST
The 64-year-old conservative leader, known for her outspoken criticism of China, secured a majority in the first round of voting

Sanae Takaichi is also the newly-elected leader of Japan's ruling party. (AFP)
Japan’s lower house of parliament on Tuesday elected Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first woman prime minister, a landmark in the nation’s political history. The 64-year-old conservative, known for her outspoken criticism of China, won 237 votes, comfortably clearing the majority threshold in the 465-seat chamber, according to lower house staff.
Takaichi is expected to be endorsed by the less-powerful upper house as well and sworn in this evening as Japan’s 104th prime minister, succeeding Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned last month after taking responsibility for election losses. She will formally assume office after meeting the emperor later on Tuesday.
Takaichi, a former heavy metal drummer, became leader of the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on October 4, at a time when the party’s public support has been slipping. Six days later, the Komeito party—citing discomfort with her conservative views and the LDP’s slush fund scandal—exited the coalition.
The coalition split pushed Takaichi to secure support from the reformist, right-leaning Japan Innovation Party (JIP). The LDP–JIP alliance was signed on Monday evening. JIP backs a slate of changes, including scrapping the consumption tax on food, banning corporate and organisational donations, and reducing the number of MPs.
Setting out her agenda, Takaichi pledged Monday to “make Japan’s economy stronger, and reshape Japan as a country that can be responsible for future generations."
In her hometown of Nara, pensioner Toru Takahashi, 76, welcomed the result. “She’s a strong-minded person, regardless of being a woman," he told AFP. “She’s not like Trump. But she’s clear about what’s right and wrong."
PM Modi Congratulates Sanae Takaichi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Sanae Takaichi on becoming Japan’s first woman Prime Minister, calling her election a historic milestone and reaffirming India’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties.
Heartiest congratulations, Sanae Takaichi, on your election as the Prime Minister of Japan. I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen the India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Our deepening ties are vital for peace, stability, and prosperity…— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 21, 2025
“Heartiest congratulations, Sanae Takaichi, on your election as the Prime Minister of Japan. I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen the India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership," PM Modi said in a post. He added that the growing partnership between the two nations remains vital for “peace, stability, and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
(With inputs from AFP)
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...
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First Published:
October 21, 2025, 10:44 IST
News world Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Woman Prime Minister; PM Modi Extends Congratulations
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