Historical: Japan Chooses a Wife as Prime Minister

Takaichi, a determined conservative, comes to the helm of the government in a turbulent period, with growing economic challenges and a divided and stalled political climate.

Its selection comes just days before American President Donald Trump's scheduled visit to Japan, adding the importance of the moment both within the country and the international arena.

Takaichi is known for her deep conservative stances that have alarmed members of her party. It supports changing Japan's peaceful constitution and is a regular visitor to a controversial shrine that includes the names of war crimes convicts during World War II.

It is also against marriage of the same gender and opposes the initiative to allow married couples to use different surnames, an issue that is gaining more and more public support in Japan.

Its harsh views on China could exacerbate regional relations, while within the country it faces scepticism over its economic proposals for increased spending and tax cuts, at a time when inflation and the cost of living have reached record levels.

In early October, Takaichi was elected leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a traditional conservative party, despite its name. It defeated opponents, signalling a shift of the party to the right, following heavy losses in the last two parliamentary elections.

However, its path to the prime minister's position was not simple. Following the scandal of classified funds that ousted former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba from power, the LDP lost the parliamentary majority, as well as its 26-year-old ally, the Komeito party.

To ensure a new majority, the LDP formed a coalition with the opposition party Nippon Isis (The Party for Innovation of Japan), which shares some of Takaichi's conservative values as the strictest restrictions on immigration. As part of the deal, a 10% drop in the number of deputies was agreed on.

Now, with 120 million citizens to respond, Takaichi faces major challenges. Increasing prices of basic products such as rice, which has nearly doubled the price from last year, will be one of the most urgent issues. Japan also faces a low rate of fertility, declining workforce, and a population of aging.

Enhancing dissatisfaction with mass migration, economic shocks caused by the administration's sudden Trump tariffs and losing public confidence in the LDP are just some of the wounds Takaichi will have to heal.

With Japan having had four prime ministers in the past five years, Takaichi, whom some call the Japan Iron Zone “, will have to produce quick results if she wants to stay in power longer than her predecessors. /Periscope/