Given the once-dominant party’s loss of its majorities in both chambers of the legislature, the new leader will also need to reach out to some of the opposition parties to pass legislation and budgets. While she’s expected to break Japan’s highest glass ceiling, she’s generally touted conservative values and it’s unclear whether she’ll bring about progress on women’s issues.
Sanae Takaichi is on track to become Japan’s first female prime minister, after the ruling party elected her as its leader Oct 4.
Takaichi will face the task of trying to reunite the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, regain public support and reengage with a younger generation of voters who are flocking to smaller populist parties amid a cost-of-living crunch and an influx of foreigners.
