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Japan's LDP Elects Hardline Conservative Takaichi, Poised to Become First Female PM Sanae Takaichi, a staunch conservative and long-time ally of the late Shinzo Abe, has been elected as the new president of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The victory, secured in a run-off vote on Saturday, virtually guarantees her immediate installation as Japan’s next Prime Minister, marking a historic moment as the country prepares to welcome its first female leader. However, her rise signals a distinct shift to the right for the LDP, bringing with it a highly assertive foreign policy agenda and a focus on expansive fiscal stimulus to address mounting domestic economic instability. The 64-year-old former Minister for Economic Security defeated her centrist rival, Shinjiro Koizumi, in the second, decisive round of voting by LDP lawmakers and regional party members. The contest followed the abrupt resignation of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, whose brief tenure was plagued by low approval ratings and internal party dissatisfaction following a series of electoral setbacks and financial scandals. Ms Takaichi is expected to be formally appointed by the Diet (Japan’s parliament) in a vote scheduled for mid-October. Ms Takaichi inherits a governing party facing significant challenges, including widespread public fatigue over rising living costs and the necessity of restoring trust in the LDP’s governance following recent controversies. Her election is viewed by many analysts as a mandate from the LDP’s powerful conservative core to return to the policy playbook championed by her political mentor, Shinzo Abe. Economic Strategy: The Return of Aggressive Fiscal Policy The immediate focus of the incoming administration will be the economy. Ms Takaichi is a fierce advocate for aggressive monetary easing and large-scale fiscal spending, policies she has unofficially dubbed ‘Sanaenomics’. This platform calls for sustained, bold investment in strategic sectors—including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and nuclear fusion technology—to bolster Japan’s long-term growth and national security.
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In contrast to previous leaders who emphasised fiscal restraint, Ms Takaichi has campaigned on the necessity of breaking Japan out of decades of economic stagnation through state intervention. “We must stop being cautious about the budget deficit,” Ms Takaichi stated during the leadership campaign. “I am determined to always put national interests first and lead the country with a sense of balance to make the Japanese archipelago strong and prosperous. ” However, critics warn that the timing of aggressive stimulus is complicated by the current inflationary environment. Takafumi Horie, a prominent entrepreneur and commentator, voiced skepticism over the fiscal implications. “Issuing more government bonds without concurrent structural reforms in social security is a huge risk,” he noted, suggesting that the expansionary policy could exacerbate Japan’s immense public debt burden without delivering sustainable wage growth. The next Prime Minister will need to quickly find a balance that reassures the public while coordinating closely with the Bank of Japan. Assertive Stance on Security and Foreign Relations Internationally, Ms Takaichi is known as a “China hawk” and has pledged to take a robustly assertive stance on regional security. She has called for dramatically increased defence spending and has consistently supported a constitutional debate over Article 9, the clause that renounces war and limits Japan’s military capabilities. Her foreign policy priorities include strengthening the US-Japan alliance and expanding security cooperation across the Indo-Pacific, notably with South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines, as a means to counter Beijing's growing influence. Ms Takaichi has also expressed public support for Taiwan, a position certain to strain relations with mainland China.
The diplomatic test for the new leader is expected to come quickly. With a parliamentary vote looming, she is also preparing for a possible meeting with US President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit later this month. Reports indicate that the US may push for Japan to further increase its defence spending. Her historical views are also a source of regional tension. Ms Takaichi, who aligns with the right-wing nationalist organisation Nippon Kaigi, is a regular visitor to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine , which honours Japan's war dead, including Class-A convicted war criminals. Such visits routinely draw condemnation from Beijing and Seoul. The Paradox of the First Female Leader Ms Takaichi’s ascension is historically significant in a nation where political and corporate leadership remains overwhelmingly male, and which consistently ranks poorly in global gender gap indexes. Yet, her elevation presents a paradox for gender equality advocates, given her deeply conservative views on social issues. Ms Takaichi strongly opposes key reforms widely supported by the public, such as allowing married couples to use separate surnames and permitting women to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne. Professor Sadafumi Kawato, an emeritus professor at the University of Tokyo, observed that while her election marks a step forward for women’s participation, "she has shown little willingness to challenge existing patriarchal norms. " On a personal level, Ms Takaichi has cultivated an image of dedication to work.
In her victory speech, she told lawmakers, "I will abandon the word 'work-life balance. ' I will work, work, work and work," suggesting a prioritisation of national revival over social reforms. Despite this, she has pledged to increase the proportion of women in her cabinet to “Nordic levels” and promote family-friendly policies. Outlook: Unity and the Coalition Challenge The choice of Ms Takaichi underscores the LDP's effort to consolidate its conservative base, which had shown signs of fracturing towards far-right, populist groups in recent elections. However, the move risks alienating the party's moderate partners. The LDP’s long-time coalition ally, the Buddhist-backed Komeito party, has expressed concerns about her ultra-conservative positions, particularly her historical revisionism. The Komeito's leader, Saitō Tetsuo, was previously quoted as saying that “without a leader in the LDP who adheres to the ideals of conservative centrism, it will be difficult for us to remain in a coalition with the party. ” As Ms Takaichi prepares to assume the premiership, her most immediate task will be balancing her strong ideological convictions with the pragmatic need for political unity both within the divided LDP and with the crucial Komeito coalition. Her ability to navigate the complex interplay of economic revitalisation, security assertiveness, and coalition management will define whether her historic premiership delivers the stability and strength the LDP is seeking.
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