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On Saturday, October 4, 2025, Sanae Takaichi was elected as the leader of Japan's governing party, the conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). This makes her a potential candidate for Japan's first female prime minister.

Japan ranks low in global gender equality measures, being the lowest in the G7 group of industrialized nations according to the World Economic Forum's latest global gender gap report.

Ms. Takaichi, the only woman in the leadership contest, won by advocating for tax cuts, increased subsidies, and cracking down on rule-breaking visitors and immigrants. She also promised to appoint more women to her cabinet, aiming for representation comparable to Nordic countries.

If elected by parliament on October 15, Ms. Takaichi could become Japan's first female prime minister. She has expressed admiration for Britain's first female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, and has stated her commitment to working tirelessly in her new role.