News - Japan's ruling party elects Sanae Takaichi as new leader, likely first female PM

Japan's governing party on Saturday elected former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, a hard-line ultraconservative and China hawk, as its new leader, making her likely the country's first female prime minister. In a country that ranks poorly internationally for gender equality, the 64-year-old Takaichi makes history as the first female leader of Japan's long-governing conservative Liberal Democratic Party. Takaichi is among the most conservative members of the male-dominated party. An admirer of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi is a protege of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ultra-conservative vision and a regular at the Yasukuni Shrine, seen as a symbol of Japan's wartime militarism, which could complicate Tokyo's relations with its Asian neighbors. Takaichi defeated Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, the son of popular former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, in a runoff in a vote by the LDP on Saturday. Takaichi replaces Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as the party hopes to regain public support and stay in power after major election losses. She is likely to be Japan's next prime minister because the party remains by far the largest in the lower house, which determines the national leader, and because opposition groups are highly splintered. Takaichi hopes to strengthen the U.S.–Japan alliance. She said she would immediately work on stemming rising prices, while also focusing on diplomatic and security challenges. A parliamentary vote is expected in mid-October. The LDP, which has been criticized by opposition leaders for creating a prolonged political vacuum, said Takaichi needs to hurry because the winner will soon face a diplomatic test: a possible summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, who could demand that Japan increase its defense spending. A meeting is reportedly planned for late October. Trump will travel to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea starting Oct. 31. Takaichi said the aim is to reinforce the Japan–U.S. alliance as a top diplomatic priority. She also stressed cooperation through three-way frameworks that include regional partners such as South Korea, Australia and the Philippines, and pledged a greater Japanese role in achieving a free and open Indo-Pacific. She said she respects all tariffs and investment agreements struck between Tokyo and Washington under the Ishiba government. Takaichi faces domestic challenges. The LDP, whose consecutive losses in parliamentary elections in the past year have left it in the minority in both houses, needs its new leader to quickly restore voter confidence and stability and to address challenges at home and abroad. Takaichi will also need cooperation from key opposition groups to implement her party's policies. Ishiba, who achieved a 15% tariff deal with Washington and put Japan's ties with South Korea and other Asian countries on track during his one-year stint, said he hopes the LDP will band together under the new party president to serve the country, its people, and the wider world in the new era. Ishiba, a centrist known as Abe's archrival, was virtually forced into resigning by ultra-conservative wings in the party. Five candidates, two currently serving and three former ministers, vied for the LDP presidency. Saturday's vote involved 295 LDP lawmakers and about 1 million dues-paying members, reflecting only about 1% of the Japanese public. The LDP's selection of Takaichi over the more centrist-to-liberal Koizumi underscored the party's hope to win back conservative voters who supported far-right groups such as Sanseito in the July parliamentary election. But the LDP also needs help from the opposition it has long neglected. The party will likely seek to expand its current coalition with the moderate centrist Komeito with at least one of the key opposition parties, which are more centrist. Takaichi supports fiscal spending for growth. Like the other candidates, she described herself as a moderate conservative during the run-up to the election to show willingness to work with the opposition and avoided stressing opposition to liberal social issues or anti-China policies. On Saturday she said the Yasukuni issue should not be a diplomatic issue and that she would consider how to pay respect to the war dead and pray for peace. She supports bigger fiscal spending for growth, a stronger military and cybersecurity, as well as tougher regulations on increasing foreign tourists and laborers. She was criticized for citing unconfirmed reports to criticize foreigners for kicking deer in Nara, her hometown, and for suggesting that many foreign law offenders escaped indictments due to a shortage of translators. Experts say the candidates avoided discussing typical political views on historical issues, same-sex marriage, and other contentious topics, including the party's political funds scandal, which was the biggest reason for their election losses, and anti-corruption measures. Their avoidance of these subjects raised doubts about the party's ability to regain public trust, analysts said.