Sanae Takaichi has made history by becoming Japan’s first female prime minister. The 64-year-old conservative, often dubbed Japan’s “Iron Lady,” is a longtime admirer of the UK’s former PM Margaret Thatcher. This marks her third attempt at leading the country and makes her the fourth prime minister in five years from the scandal-plagued Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), highlighting the rapid turnover in Japanese politics.
Takaichi belongs to the LDP’s hardline faction and is a protégé of the late former PM Shinzo Abe. Former US President Donald Trump previously praised her as a “highly respected person of great wisdom.”
As she takes office, Takaichi faces key challenges, including revitalizing Japan’s sluggish economy, managing a delicate US-Japan relationship, and uniting a divided ruling party.
