Japan set for first female PM

Hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi is poised to break JapanÕs
political glass ceiling after the right-wing Japan Innovation Party,
known as Ishin, said it was ready to back her premiership

Mar 7, 1961: Born in city of
Yamatokoriyama in JapanÕs Nara
Prefecture. Plays drums in heavy
metal band in her youth

1980s: Graduates from Kobe
University with business degree.
Spends year in U.S. as part of
congressional fellowship before
briefly becoming TV host

1993: Begins political career
when she is elected to parliament
as an independent

1996: Joins Liberal Democratic
Party (LDP)

2006: Enters cabinet as part of
first administration of late prime
minister Shinzo Abe

2007: Is only cabinet member to
visit Yasukuni Shrine on anniversary
of end of World War II

2012: Becomes first woman to
chair LDPÕs Policy Research
Council following AbeÕs return
to premiership

2014: Joins cabinet as minister
for internal affairs

2021: Enters LDP leadership race
but loses to Fumio Kishida

2024: Makes second leadership
bid, advancing to runoff vote but
ultimately losing to Shigeru Ishiba

Oct 4, 2025: Selected as LDP
leader following IshibaÕs resignation

JAPAN COALITION DEAL (lower house of parliament)

231 seats

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
196

Japan Innovation Party (Ishin)
35

Majority: 233

Sources: BBC, Nippon.com, Reuters, Time
Picture: Newscom
© GRAPHIC NEWS