Japan’s “Iron Lady”

By Melvin Najarian Nov. 12, 2025

On Oct. 4, Japan’s dominant Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) chose hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi as its new leader. Backed by the ruling coalition, she was set to replace outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in a parliamentary vote on Oct. 15. Takaichi was elected as Japan’s first female prime minister on Oct. 21 in a historic yet divisive victory.

Takaichi’s political journey began in the 1980s, when growing trade tensions between the U.S. and Japan sparked interest in foreign relations. She interned in the Denver office of the U.S. Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder, a Democrat known for her criticism of Japan, to better understand how Americans viewed Japan. There, Takaichi studied how women navigated politics and pursued a similar path in the following years.

Takaichi first ran for parliament as an independent in 1992 but was unsuccessful. She secured a seat the next year and became a member of the LDP in 1996. Over the decades, she became one of the LDP’s most outspoken conservative figures and served in key cabinet positions, including minister for economic security and minister for internal affairs and communications. In 2021, Takaichi entered her first LDP race but lost to Fumio Kishida. In another attempt in 2024, she managed to top the first round of voting but ultimately lost to Shigeru Ishiba.

One of the most traditional voices in Japanese politics, Takaichi rejected proposals to let married women keep their maiden names, arguing that this would weaken traditional family values. She has consistently opposed legalizing same-sex marriage. However, during her most recent campaign, per BBC, Takaichi sought to present a more moderate image of herself, promising partial tax deductions for babysitting services, incentives for companies that provide childcare and medical programs addressing women’s health.

“Takaichi becoming Japan’s first female prime minister is a big moment for gender equality, but her strong conservative views might impede a lot of important social changes. She’ll probably focus more on tradition instead of urging for reform, limiting the social impact of her leadership. She might redefine what it means to be a woman in a male dominated position without actually changing Japan’s politics for the better,” Sophomore Venice Lu said.

Juliana Shin Art

Nationalism also heavily dominates her politics. For years, Takaichi has severely downplayed Japan’s extensive history of war crimes and condemned international justice trials that had attempted to hold Japanese war criminals accountable. She has rejected the accounts of women, many of them Korean, who were coerced into serving as sexual slaves for the Japanese military during World War II. Takaichi has also insisted that Japan holds sovereignty over the Liancourt Rocks—known to Japan as Takeshima and to South Korea as Dodko—a long-disputed territory between the two nations. Takaichi supports amending Japan’s constitution to broaden its self-defense power—a much different political view than former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who affirmed Japan’s commitment to peace and international rule of order.

“Takaichi models herself after Margaret Thatcher and plans to follow a similar economic path. Based on how Thatcher’s leadership in the U.K. led to growing wealth inequality, I am worried that Japan’s economy could face deeper inequality under Takaichi’s leadership,” Senior Rihito Yamaguchi said.

Beyond her social views, Takaichi’s economic agenda focuses on a return to Abenomics. According to the Lowy Institute, Abenomics focuses on government spending, low interest rates and industrial growth. She plans on strengthening Japan’s ability to produce its own artificial intelligence, energy and semiconductors. Analysts at Daiichi Life Research Institute note that Takaichi supports active government investment and closer coordination withthe Bank of Japan to continue expanding the economy. Her approach also emphasizes giving tax breaks to working

and middle class families.

Ultimately, though Takaichi’s appointment as the prime minister is a historic moment for Japan, it will also test how Japan balances its traditional values with the demands of a continually changing society.

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About the Contributors

Melvin Najarian

staff writer

Melvin Najarian is a senior at Leland High School and a staff writer. He likes playing tennis, listening to music, and hanging out with friends. His favorite band is The Smiths.

Juliana Shin

artist

Juliana Shin is a sophomore at Leland High School and an Artist for The Charger Account. In her free time, she admits to doom scrolling on Pinterest for drawing references or playing with dog, Simba. During other times, she prefers to sleep in and watch horror movies with her mom.