She used to play drums in college and has a strong passion for Iron Maiden. Quite interestingly, she identifies as conservative and has made history as the first female prime minister of Japan, breaking ground in a male-dominated political environment.
On Tuesday, Japan’s parliament elected Sanae Takaichi, a 64-year-old from the “ultra-conservative” wing of the Liberal Democratic Party, as its new prime minister. Her election has drawn parallels to Margaret Thatcher, the renowned conservative British leader of the 1980s.
Now, the name might suggest a different ideology, but the Liberal Democratic Party is indeed one of the largest conservative and nationalist entities in Japan.
Sanae Takaichi, often referred to as Japan’s “Iron Lady,” was born in 1961 in Nara, a small city recognized for its temples and shrines. Her family faced financial challenges; her father worked at a police department after starting in an auto parts store. Takaichi pursued her education at Kobe University and later furthered her studies at the Matsushita School of Government and Economics. In the 1980s, she interned for Patricia Schroeder, a Democratic Congresswoman from Colorado.
A childhood friend, Motoko Shimada, described Takaichi as a reserved person with a warm smile, saying, “She didn’t project strength, but was attentive and kind to those struggling.”
After returning to Japan, she initially built her reputation as a writer and TV personality before stepping into politics in 1993. Takaichi was first elected to Japan’s Diet as an independent and quickly formed a significant bond with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whom she regarded as a mentor. Abe appointed her to his cabinet during his initial term in 2006, marking her as a leading female figure in Japanese politics—a role he repeated in his 2012 term. When Takaichi pursued the prime ministership in 2021, Abe supported her candidacy, calling her a “true star” of conservatism, a movement they both shared regarding economic and defense policies.
Similar to her predecessor Abe, Takaichi is expected to foster a close relationship with former President Donald Trump.
Press Conference Insights
In her first major press conference, Takaichi stated, “We will develop a robust Japanese economy through diplomatic and security measures, protecting our national interests at all costs.” She also indicated the government’s amiable position towards Trump, emphasizing that “the alliance with the United States is pivotal to Japan’s foreign and security policy.” Trump and Takaichi are set to meet in Tokyo later this month, marking Trump’s first visit since his reelection, with investment discussions already underway—potentially involving American pickup trucks, soybeans, and gas.
Social Perspectives
Takaichi’s historic role as Japan’s first female prime minister comes with some mixed signals; she is not often viewed as a feminist. Advocating for conventional gender roles, she supports initiatives for family-building and is against same-sex marriage. Interestingly, she also believes that women should not retain their maiden names post-marriage.
Economic Policies
While not as fiscal conservative as some party members, Takaichi seems to back modern monetary theory, which endorses government money printing without strict ties to tax revenues. She has called for significant public spending increases, especially in defense, coupled with tax cuts to stimulate growth. Her economic vision aligns with that of the late Abe, aiming to revive Japan’s stagnating economy with incentives and lower interest rates to encourage spending and borrowing.
Political Stance on China
As a known hawk on China, Takaichi’s agenda is likely to reflect strong conservative principles, including measures against Chinese Communist Party espionage. She has urged for bolstered defense budgets and adapting Japan’s pacifist post-World War II constitution, showing support for security ties with Taiwan. Her controversial visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan’s war casualties, has led to tensions with China and South Korea.
Immigration Policies
Throughout her campaign, Takaichi emphasized the need for stricter immigration policies, advocating for a crackdown on illegal immigrants and barring foreigners from buying property in Japan. Her newly appointed cabinet member responsible for foreign affairs, Kim Onoda, pledged to address crimes linked to illegal immigrants. Takaichi expressed concern over foreign crimes creating societal anxiety, seeking comprehensive discussions and measures to tackle these issues effectively.
