Japan's Likely New PM Is a Margaret Thatcher Fan

Japan's governing party on Saturday elected former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, a hard-line ultra-conservative and China hawk, as its new leader, making her likely to become 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, per the AP. She's one of the most conservative members of the male-dominated party.

An admirer of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi is a protege of former Japanese 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 beat Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, the son of popular former PM Junichiro Koizumi, in a runoff 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.

Takaichi 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 thanked supporters as the results were announced. "I made history for the LDP," she said. "Right now, instead of savoring joy, I'm overwhelmed by what's ahead, a mountain of challenges that I have to tackle with help from all of you."

story continues below

Takaichi will need cooperation from key opposition groups to implement her party's policies. Like other candidates, she called herself a "moderate conservative" during the run-up to the election to show their willingness to work with the opposition and stayed away from stressing her opposition to liberal social issues or anti-China policies. She supports bigger fiscal spending for growth, a stronger military and cybersecurity, and tougher regulations on increasing foreign tourists and laborers. More here.