Sanae Takaichi made history in October 2025 by becoming which country's first female prime minister?

In October 2025, Sanae Takaichi made significant history by becoming the first female prime minister of Japan. This landmark achievement marked a new era for Japanese politics, a country that has long been characterized by male dominance in its highest echelons of power. Her election as the 104th Prime Minister followed her victory in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership race earlier that month, making her also the first woman to lead the long-ruling party.

While Japan has a history of female empresses, the modern cabinet system, established in 1885, had never seen a woman at its helm until Takaichi's appointment. Her rise to power is particularly notable given Japan's relatively low representation of women in leadership positions compared to many other developed nations. Takaichi, an admirer of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, has been dubbed "Japan's Iron Lady" due to her staunchly conservative political views. She previously held several ministerial posts, including Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications, under the premierships of Shinzo Abe and Fumio Kishida.

Her premiership comes at a crucial time for Japan, as she faces challenges such as rebuilding public trust in politics, addressing economic concerns like inflation and declining real wages, and navigating a complex geopolitical landscape. Despite breaking the "glass ceiling" for women in Japanese politics, Takaichi has been noted for not prioritizing gender equality in her policy agenda or cabinet appointments, with only two women initially joining her cabinet. She holds conservative stances on social issues, including opposing same-sex marriage and supporting the male-only imperial succession. Her election, nevertheless, represents a significant moment in Japan's political evolution.