Japan’s governing party on Saturday (October 4, 2025) elected former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi as its new leader, making her likely to become the country’s first female Prime Minister.

In a country that ranks poorly internationally for gender equality, Ms. Takaichi would make history as the first female leader of Japan’s long-governing conservative Liberal Democratic Party. She is one of the most conservative members of the male-dominated party.

Ms. Takaichi beat Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, the son of popular former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, in a runoff in an intraparty vote by the LDP on Saturday.

Ms. Takaichi replaces Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as the party hopes to regain public support and stay in power after major election losses.

She is likel

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