Sanae Takaichi elected as Japan’s first female prime minister

Sanae Takaichi, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has become Japan’s 104th and first female prime minister after securing a majority in both houses of parliament.

The election, held during the 219th extraordinary session of the Japanese parliament, was broadcast live on state television NHK.

In the voting that began at 13:08 local time, Takaichi surpassed the required 233-vote threshold in the 465-seat House of Representatives, receiving 237 votes.

In addition to her own party, Takaichi received support from the LDP’s coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), and independent lawmakers.

Upper house election goes to a second round

The vote in the 246-member House of Councillors, the upper house of parliament, was decided in a second round. In this round, Takaichi won the right to the prime minister’s seat by securing at least 125 votes against Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.

The new prime minister is expected to announce her cabinet shortly. According to information reported in the Japanese press, Shinjiro Koizumi is anticipated to be appointed minister of defense, Toshimitsu Motegi as minister of foreign affairs, and Yoshimasa Hayashi as minister of internal affairs.

Previous prime minister and his cabinet resigned

Takaichi’s election as prime minister came after the resignation of incumbent Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his cabinet on the same day. Ishiba had decided to step down last month due to his party’s successive election defeats.

Following this development, Sanae Takaichi was elected as the LDP’s first female party president at the beginning of the month.

The LDP-led coalition lost its majority in the upper house elections on July 20. The party had suffered a similar defeat in the lower house in October 2024.

Fourth prime ministerial resignation in the last five years

Shigeru Ishiba became the fourth Japanese prime minister to resign from office in the last five years.

Before him, Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated, as well as Yoshihide Suga and Fumio Kishida, had also served in the role.

The Liberal Democratic Party has maintained its rule in Japan almost uninterruptedly, except for the last six years.