By Wonsuh Song
On October 4, 2025, Ms. Sanae Takaichi won the LDP leadership runoff, setting the stage for Japan’s first-ever female prime minister. It was a decisive moment when a long-standing political tradition finally cracked open.
As a woman and as a foreigner who has lived in Japan for many years, I welcome this news with genuine joy. Honestly, I did not expect Japan to see a woman prime minister this soon. The rise of women’s political and social status in Japan has been slow and uneven, so this result feels nothing short of historic. It is not merely a political milestone—it is a signal flare announcing that Japanese society itself is beginning to change.
Ms. Takaichi is neither a University of Tokyo graduate nor a hereditary politician, yet she has ascended to the very top of Japan’s ruling party. That alone shows that Japan is beginning to value ability and conviction over pedigree and gender. Her victory visualizes what once seemed impossible: a future in which women’s participation in politics is natural, not exceptional.
Of course, challenges remain. Gender equality, childcare support, workplace reform, pay equity, and ensuring women’s voices are truly heard—these will all test her leadership. But for now, we should celebrate this beginning.
I wholeheartedly welcome this transformation. The rise of a female prime minister is not only a triumph for women; it is a sign that Japan itself is maturing and opening up to a more inclusive and balanced future. I am convinced this will be the dawn of a new Japan.
Wonsuh Song (Ph.D.)
Full-time Lecturer, Shumei University / NKNGO Forum Representative
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