China Hawk Takaichi Named Japan’s First Woman PM

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Sanae Takaichi stands up to acknowledge the applause after she was selected as Japan's new prime minister during an extraordinary session of the lower house of parliament in Tokyo on October 21, 2025. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP)

By Kyoko Hasegawa with Mathias Cena in Nara

Japan got its first woman prime minister on Tuesday after Sanae Takaichi, a China hawk and social conservative, forged an 11th-hour coalition deal.

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