Sanae Takaichi becomes first female PM of Japan

Sanae Takaichi was elected as Japan’s next Prime Minister on Tuesday, following a runoff election in the Parliament. She is also the first woman to assume this role.

The Upper House has chosen Takaichi as Japan’s next Prime Minister, affirming her rise to the position. 

She received 125 votes in the Upper House — just one vote above the simple majority necessary for victory. Previously, she secured 237 votes in



the Lower House, exceeding the required majority of 233. 

A former television anchor, Takaichi entered Japanese politics in 1993, winning a seat in the Lower House as an independent.

The 64-year-old lawmaker currently represents her home prefecture of Nara. Takaichi joined Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party in 1996 and entered the Cabinet for the first time under former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.