The ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi is expected to become the first female prime minister of Japan

TOKYO (AP) — Sanae Takaichi’s ruling party got a key coalition partner, putting her on track to become Japan’s first female prime minister.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will be replaced by 64-year-old Takaichi in Tuesday’s parliamentary vote. Her success would put an end to the three-month political void and squabbling that Japan has experienced since the coalition lost the July parliamentary election.

Following a 26-year alliance, the moderate centrist Komeito party broke away from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Only a few days after being elected LDP leader, Takaichi was compelled to look desperately for a new coalition partner in order to win votes and become prime minister.

After expressing disapproval of Takaichi’s ultraconservative policies and the LDP’s slack handling of corruption scandals, which resulted in the party’s consecutive election losses and loss of the majority in both houses, the Buddhist-backed Komeito resigned.

Takaichi sought a short-term solution by joining forces with the most conservative of the nation’s three main opposition parties, the Ishin no Kai, or Japan Innovation Party, based in Osaka, but the leaders of these parties were unable to come together to seek a change of government. A coalition deal that includes shared policy objectives in the areas of energy, security, and diplomacy was signed by the two parties on Monday.

For the shaky new coalition, which is still a minority in the legislature, to pass any legislation, other opposition parties would need to work with them.

The government will face significant diplomatic challenges in the coming days, including discussions with the U. S. President Trump and summits in the region. To placate the irate populace, Takaichi must act swiftly to address price increases and develop economic stimulus plans at home.

disliked by women.

An admirer of the former U. K. . In a nation with a low international ranking for gender equality, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s breaking of the glass ceiling is a historic moment.

However, many women are not celebrating, and some consider her upcoming premiership to be a disappointment.

Sociologist Chizuko Ueno wrote on X, “I’m not thrilled about the possibility of having the first female prime minister.”. “That doesn’t mean Japanese politics become kinder to women,” Ueno stated, adding that Takaichi’s leadership would improve Japan’s gender equality ranking. “”.

Takaichi is one of the ultraconservative leaders of her male-dominated party who has obstructed efforts to promote women. In addition to opposing same-sex marriage and a change to the civil law that would permit married couples to have separate last names so that women are not pressured to give up theirs, Takaichi is in favor of the imperial family’s male-only succession.

“Miss. The Mainichi newspaper’s senior writer and political analyst Chiyako Sato stated, “I doubt she would consider policies to recognize diversity because Takaichi’s policies are extremely hawkish.”.

Population decline and rising costs.

If the parliamentary vote goes in her favor, Takaichi will announce her Cabinet on Tuesday and give a policy address later that week.

Takaichi, a protégé of the assassinated former prime minister Shinzo Abe, is anticipated to adopt his security and economic strategies.

She would have just a few days to get ready for diplomatic discussions with Trump and at regional summits. Despite reservations about her revisionist theories about the war and her previous visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, she is expected to maintain stable relations with China and South Korea.

The shrine pays respect to Japan’s 2.5 million war victims, including those who were found guilty of war crimes. People who were harmed by Japanese aggression, particularly those in China and Korea, interpret shrine visits as a sign of a lack of regret for Japan’s history of war.

By 2027, the yearly defense budget will have doubled to 2 percent of GDP, a five-year buildup that Takaichi supports. Trump is anticipated to insist that Japan buy more U.S. military hardware and raise its military spending to NATO targets of 5% of GDP. S. . weapons.

Takaichi must also fulfill Japan’s commitment to invest $550 billion in the United States. A. in the shape of a U. A. tariff agreement. .

In light of the growing xenophobia in Japan, her policy plans have centered on short-term solutions like combating price increases and enhancing salaries and subsidies, as well as imposing restrictions on an expanding foreign population. Significant problems like demographic challenges have not been addressed by Takaichi.

The party might be pushed to the right by Takaichi.

Takaichi’s goal is to move the party even further to the right in order to win back conservative votes. Takaichi may agree with the LDP’s alliance with the right-wing JIP.

Takaichi avoided a diplomatic squabble with Beijing and Seoul on Friday by sending a religious ornament rather than visiting the Yasukuni Shrine. In an apparent attempt to get her coalition closer to obtaining a majority in parliament, she also made contact with smaller opposition parties, such as the far-right Sanseito.

It is impossible for Takaichi to be authentic. “All she can do is comply with the policy,” stated Masato Kamikubo, a professor of political science at Ritsumeikan University. “The situation is pitiful. “”.

preliminary indications of political unrest.

A lot of analysts predict that a Takaichi government won’t last long and that this year’s election will be early.

Concerns were also expressed by experts regarding Takaichi’s ability to balance Ishin’s fiscal conservatism with his fiscal expansionist economic policies.

“Multiparty politics is about to take over, and the LDP’s dominance is coming to an end. Sato remarked, “The question is how to form a coalition,” pointing to a similar pattern in Europe. “We must figure out how to form a stable government and coalition in a Japanese manner. “.”.