Japan's parliament has elected Sanae Takaichi as the nation's first female prime minister, marking a historic milestone in the country's patriarchal political landscape. The ultraconservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader secured 237 votes in the lower house on October 21, surpassing the required majority and succeeding Shigeru Ishiba after just one year in office. This transition follows the LDP's significant setbacks, including the loss of its lower house majority last year and further defeats in July's upper house elections, which prompted intense internal maneuvering and a coalition deal with the Japan Innovation Party to stabilize governance.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promptly congratulated Takaichi via a post on X, expressing optimism for enhanced bilateral relations. "Heartiest congratulations, Sanae Takaichi, on your election as the Prime Minister of Japan," Modi wrote. "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." This message underscores the mutual interest in countering regional challenges, particularly from an assertive China.

Takaichi, a seasoned LDP member since 1996, rose through the ranks under the mentorship of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. She first entered the cabinet during Abe's tenure as Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs and later became the first woman to chair the LDP's Policy Research Council. From 2022 to 2024, she served as Economic Security Minister, advocating for supply chain resilience amid global disruptions. She also holds the distinction of being Japan's longest-serving Minister for Internal Affairs across multiple terms. Elected LDP president earlier this month with 185 votes in a runoff against Shinjiro Koizumi's 156, Takaichi will complete Ishiba's remaining two years in his three-year term, facing immediate pressures from economic stagnation, inflation, and upcoming regional summits.

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Known for her hawkish stance on China and North Korea, Takaichi defends Japan's traditional social values while embracing technocratic approaches to security and economy. A vocal proponent of Abe's "Abenomics" policies—characterized by monetary easing, fiscal stimulus, and structural reforms—she is expected to revive these strategies to address Japan's sluggish growth and public discontent. Her admiration for Margaret Thatcher and interest in heavy metal music aside, Takaichi's foreign policy priorities align closely with Indo-Pacific realignment efforts.

For India, Takaichi's ascension holds considerable promise. As Abe's protégé, she is likely to perpetuate his legacy of elevating Japan-India relations, which flourished during his 2012-2020 tenure—a period often hailed as the "golden era" for bilateral ties. Abe pioneered the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), comprising the US, India, Japan, and Australia, earning him the moniker "Quadfather" for fostering this framework to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Experts anticipate Takaichi will intensify Quad engagement and strategic collaborations with India. "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," noted Deepa Wadhwa, former Indian Ambassador to Japan, in an interview with The Hindu. Takaichi's pre-leadership connections to India are robust; she met Modi in 2015 and 2017 as Minister of Internal Affairs, discussing advancements in the digital economy, smart city initiatives, and cybersecurity. She has publicly lauded India as "a democratic, technological, and manufacturing partner critical for supply chain diversification," emphasizing its role in mitigating dependencies on China.

This alignment could accelerate joint ventures in defense, infrastructure, and technology. Under Abe, Japan committed to a bullet train project in India and deepened maritime security cooperation; Takaichi may expand these, particularly in semiconductors and renewable energy, where both nations seek to reduce Beijing's dominance. Her emphasis on economic security—evident in her prior ministerial role—resonates with India's "Make in India" campaign and efforts to build resilient supply chains.

However, challenges loom. Takaichi's potentially fragile coalition, strained by the LDP's electoral woes and the abrupt exit of longtime ally Komeito last month, may limit her bold initiatives. Critics, including Japanese feminists, question her commitment to gender equality, noting her traditionalist views and the appointment of only two women to her cabinet despite earlier pledges. On the international front, her rightward shift on immigration and defense could complicate relations with neighbors, though it aligns with India's security concerns over Chinese incursions in the Himalayas and South China Sea.

As Takaichi prepares her inaugural policy address and engages with U.S. President Donald Trump, her leadership will test the resilience of Japan-India bonds. With shared democratic values and a common adversary in China's expansionism, this partnership could emerge as a cornerstone of regional stability—or falter under domestic political turbulence. Observers in New Delhi remain cautiously optimistic, viewing Takaichi not just as a hawk on China, but as a potential architect of enduring Indo-Pacific harmony.

Also Read: Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Female Prime Minister Amid LDP Coalition Deal