Who Is Sanae Takaichi and what are her political views?
A New Conservative Era in Japan
Japan is preparing for a possible political turning point as Sanae Takaichi, a prominent conservative within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), becomes the new party leader — positioning her to become the country’s next prime minister. The parliamentary vote confirming her premiership is expected on October 15.
Takaichi’s election marks not only a symbolic milestone as one of Japan’s few female leaders but also signals a broader ideological shift toward nationalism and traditionalism within Japanese politics.
From Nara to the National Stage
Born in Nara Prefecture in 1961, Takaichi studied political science at Kobe University and later attended classes at UCLA, where she became interested in American conservative thought. Returning to Japan, she launched her political career in the early 1990s and quickly rose through the LDP ranks.
Over the past three decades, she has held several ministerial posts — including Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications — and earned a reputation as a disciplined and pragmatic policymaker. Her long-standing alliance with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has further solidified her as a figure of Japan’s nationalist right wing.
Revising Japan’s Pacifist Constitution
At the core of Takaichi’s political philosophy lies her advocacy for revising Article 9 of Japan’s postwar Constitution. Drafted under U.S. supervision in 1947, this article renounces war and prohibits Japan from maintaining “armed forces with war potential.”
Takaichi argues that this pacifist clause no longer reflects modern geopolitical realities. She supports launching a public debate on allowing the deployment of U.S. nuclear weapons in Japan, citing the growing threats from China and North Korea. Her critics warn that such proposals risk destabilizing East Asia and eroding Japan’s postwar identity as a peaceful nation.
The Controversial Visits to Yasukuni Shrine
Takaichi has repeatedly visited the Yasukuni Shrine — a Shinto site honoring Japan’s war dead, including 14 convicted war criminals. These visits have drawn sharp condemnation from China and South Korea, where the shrine is seen as a painful reminder of Japan’s imperial past.
While her opponents accuse her of historical revisionism, Takaichi maintains that her visits are purely acts of remembrance and patriotism. She insists that Japan should “not have to apologize” for its wartime actions, arguing that remorse has too often been used as a political weapon by neighboring states.
Social Conservatism and Immigration Stance
Domestically, Takaichi has taken a firm socially conservative line. She opposes same-sex marriage, advocates for traditional family values, and supports tighter restrictions on immigration and foreign property ownership.
She argues that such policies are necessary to protect Japan’s “cultural integrity and social cohesion.” Her critics, however, see these positions as out of step with Japan’s younger and more globalized generation.
Part of a Global Rightward Turn
Takaichi’s rise reflects a broader rightward shift seen in many democracies — from Europe to the United States and now Asia. Like Italy’s Giorgia Meloni or the U.S. conservative revival, her message of national pride, defense rearmament, and cultural traditionalism resonates with voters who feel alienated by liberal globalism.
If confirmed as prime minister, Takaichi is expected to pursue a more assertive foreign policy, a stronger national defense, and an emphasis on conservative social reform — signaling that Japan’s new political era will be defined by confidence, nationalism, and continuity with Abe’s legacy.
