Japan's First Female PM Sanae Takaichi: What Her Leadership Means for India-Japan Strategic Partnership

Sanae Takaichi, a prominent voice from the Liberal Democratic Party's conservative wing, has made history by becoming Japan's first female prime minister following significant political turmoil.

Takaichi has stepped into the position previously held by Shigeru Ishiba after the LDP experienced substantial defeats in recent elections, losing their majority in the lower house last year and facing disastrous results in July's upper house elections.

Following her election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promptly extended his congratulations on social media platform X, stating: "Heartiest congratulations, Sanae Takaichi, on your election as the Prime Minister of Japan. I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Our deepening ties are vital for peace, stability, and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific and beyond."

Takaichi secured her leadership position within the LDP by obtaining 185 votes, defeating Shinjiro who received 156 votes in a runoff election after the initial voting round failed to produce a majority winner among the five candidates.

Her political career began when she joined the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in 1996, and she first entered the Cabinet under former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs. Her accomplishments include becoming the first woman to chair the LDP's Policy Research Council.

Between 2022 and 2024, Takaichi served as Japan's Economic Security Minister. She also holds the distinction of being the longest-serving Minister for Internal Affairs across multiple tenures. In her new role as Prime Minister, she will complete the remainder of former PM Ishiba's three-year term.

As a protégé of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was tragically assassinated, Takaichi is expected to continue his policy directions, particularly in strengthening geopolitical relationships with India. The period of Abe's leadership from 2012 to 2020 is widely regarded as the golden era for India-Japan relations.

Takaichi is recognized for her tough stance toward China and North Korea, as well as her strong defense of Japan's traditional social values. Though a technocrat by background, she is likely to pursue closer strategic partnerships with Indo-Pacific allies.

Former Ambassador to Japan Deepa Wadhwa told The Hindu, "She will likely continue to focus on the Indo-Pacific as Abe did, and we can expect her to be more proactive about the Quad engagement as well." Abe, who initiated the US-India-Australia-Japan grouping, earned the nickname "Quadfather" for his efforts.

Unlike many Japanese leaders who begin developing connections with India only after taking office, Takaichi has maintained established ties with New Delhi throughout her career. She met with Prime Minister Modi in both 2015 and 2017 while serving as Communications Minister, discussing cooperation on digital economy, smart city projects, and cybersecurity initiatives. She has previously praised India's contribution to the Indo-Pacific region, describing New Delhi as "a democratic, technological and manufacturing partner critical for supply chain diversification."

However, given her potentially tenuous hold on power, questions remain about how much Takaichi will be able to accomplish during her term.