Sanae Takaichi

Last updated

Taku Yamamoto
(m. 2004;div. 2017)
  • (m. 2021)
  • Sanae Takaichi
    高市 早苗
    Sanae Takaichi October 2025 (3x4 cropped).jpg
    Takaichi in 2025
    Prime Minister of Japan
    Assumed office
    21 October 2025
    Majority43,516 (20.38%)
    Children3
    Alma mater Kobe University (BBA)
    Signature Takaiti-Sanae Singnature.png
    Website www.sanae.gr.jp OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
    Japanese name
    Revised Hepburn Takaichi Sanae

    Sanae Takaichi [a] (born 7 March 1961) is a Japanese politician who has served as Prime Minister of Japan and President of the Liberal Democratic Party since 2025. She is the first woman to hold either of these positions, as well as the first from Nara Prefecture. [3] A member of the House of Representatives from 1993 to 2003 and since 2005, she also held several ministerial posts during the premierships of Shinzo Abe and Fumio Kishida.

    Contents

    Born and raised in Yamatokōriyama, Nara, Takaichi graduated from Kobe University and worked as an author, legislative aide, and broadcaster before beginning her political career. Elected as an independent to the House of Representatives in the 1993, she joined the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in 1996. A protégé of Abe, Takaichi held various positions during Abe's premiership, most notably as Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications. She was a candidate in the 2021 LDP leadership election, but was eliminated before the runoff, placing third. [4] From 2022 to 2024, during Fumio Kishida's premiership, she served as Minister of State for Economic Security. Takaichi made her second run for the party leadership in the 2024 leadership election, where she came in first in the first round but narrowly lost in a runoff to her predecessor Shigeru Ishiba. She eventually ran again in the 2025 leadership election for the third time and placed first in both rounds of voting, defeating Shinjirō Koizumi, and becoming the party's first female president. [5] After securing a coalition agreement with the Japan Innovation Party, Takaichi was elected prime minister by the National Diet on 21 October, becoming the country's first female prime minister. [6] [7]

    Takaichi's views have been variously described as conservative or ultraconservative. [8] [9] Her domestic policy includes support for proactive government spending and the continuation of Abenomics. She has taken conservative positions on social issues, including the recognition of separate surnames for spouses and in regards to female succession to the Japanese throne. She supports revising Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan, which renounces the use of military force, a pro-Taiwanese foreign policy, and strengthening the US–Japan alliance. A member of Nippon Kaigi, she has promoted a nationalistic view of Japanese history and criticized the Murayama and Kono Statements. She has made regular visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which is viewed as controversial especially in China, North Korea, and South Korea.

    Early life

    Takaichi was born on 7 March 1961 in Yamatokōriyama, Nara Prefecture, where she was raised. She was from a dual-income, middle class household. Her father, Daikyū Takaichi (1934–2013), [10] worked for an automotive firm affiliated with Toyota and her mother, Kazuko Takaichi (1932–2018), [11] served in the Nara Prefectural Police  [ ja ]. [12] [13] Takaichi graduated from Nara Prefectural Unebi High School  [ ja ]. Despite qualifying to matriculate at Keio and Waseda universities in Tokyo, [14] she did not attend as her parents refused to cover tuition fees if she left home or chose a private university because she was a woman. [15] [14] Instead, Takaichi commuted six hours from her family home to attend Kobe University, paying her way with part-time work. [16] During her university years she joined a band, playing the drums. [16] She graduated from Kobe with a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1984, then enrolled in the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management. [17] [18]

    With sponsorship from the Matsushita Institute, she moved to the United States in 1987 to work as a congressional fellow for Democratic congresswoman Pat Schroeder. [13] [19] [20] Upon her return to Japan in 1989, she worked as a legislative analyst with knowledge of American politics, and wrote books based on her experience. She then became a presenter for TV Asahi in March 1989, co-hosting the station's "Kodawari TV Pre-Stage" programme with Renhō. In November 1990, Takaichi was employed as a presenter for Fuji Television, later serving as anchor of the morning information program named "Asa Da! Nandou Gaku". [21] [22]

    Political career

    Political beginnings

    Takaichi first attempted to run for the Nara Prefecture Electoral District of the House of Councillors during the 1992 House of Councillors elections. She eventually ran as an independent candidate and competed with Mitsuo Hattori for the post, after Mitsuo's father, Yasuji Hattori, decided not to run for the post. Of the 313 eligible voters, Takaichi lost to Hattori as Hattori received a total of 162 votes while Takaichi received a total of 137 votes and 1 invalid vote. Hattori was later proclaimed as the winner of the election. [19]

    Early political career (1993–2006)

    Takaichi in 1998 Sanae Takaichi 1998.jpg
    Takaichi in 1998

    Takaichi was first elected to the Japanese parliament's lower house, the House of Representatives, in the 1993 Japanese general election as an independent. [23] The following year she joined the minor "Liberals" party led by Koji Kakizawa, which soon merged into the New Frontier Party. [24] In 1996, Takaichi ran as a sanctioned candidate from the New Frontier Party and was re-elected to the House of Representatives; however, the New Frontier Party lost nationally. On 5 November, she responded to recruitment from the Secretary-General of the LDP Koichi Kato and then joined the LDP. Her act of switching parties, two months after winning the election with anti-LDP votes, resulted in heavy criticism from New Frontier Party members. [25]

    In the LDP, Takaichi belonged to the Mori Faction (formally, the Seiwa Seisaku Kenkyūkai) and she served as a Parliamentary Vice Minister for the Ministry of International Trade and Industry under the Keizō Obuchi cabinet. [23] She also served as chairman of the Education and Science Committee. In the 2000 House of Representatives election she was placed in the first position on the LDP's proportional representation list and easily won her third term. In 2002 she was appointed as the Senior Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry under Junichiro Koizumi. [26]

    In the 2003 Japanese general election, she was defeated in the Nara 1st district by Democratic Party lawmaker Sumio Mabuchi. She moved to the nearby city of Ikoma and won a seat representing the Nara 2nd district in the 2005 Japanese general election. [27] In 2004, while she was out of the Diet, she took an economics faculty position at Kinki University. [23] Takaichi headed an LDP in-party group that opposed legislation that would allow spouses to have separate surnames after marriage (夫婦別姓, fūfu bessei), arguing that it would undermine Japan's traditional family system. Besides, as communications chief she "stirred controversy when she suggested TV broadcasters could have their license revoked if they air programs the government considers politically biased, a remark widely slammed as tantamount to the repression of free speech". [28]

    Abe governments (2006–2007, 2012–2020)

    Takaichi served as Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs, Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy, Minister of State for Innovation, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Gender Equality, [29] and Minister of State for Food Safety in the Japanese Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzō Abe. [23] In August 2007, she was the only Abe cabinet member to join former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in visiting Yasukuni Shrine on the anniversary of the end of World War II. [30]

    After the LDP's victory in the 2012 Japanese general election, Takaichi was appointed to head the party's Policy Research Council ( 自由民主党政務調査会長 ). In January 2013, she recommended that Abe issue an "Abe Statement" to replace the Murayama Statement that apologized for "tremendous damage and suffering" brought by Japan's "colonial rule and aggression". [31]

    Takaichi was selected as Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications to replace Yoshitaka Shindō on 3 September 2014. After she was named as a cabinet minister, a photograph was published of her together with Kazunari Yamada, the leader of the National Socialist Japanese Workers' Party – a small neo-Nazi party in Japan. She denied any link with Yamada and said she would not have accepted the picture had she known Yamada's background. [32] She was also shown promoting a controversial book praising Adolf Hitler's electoral talents in 1994. [33]

    Takaichi was among the three members of the cabinet to visit the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in 2014, [34] became the first sitting cabinet member to attend the shrine's autumn festival in 2016, [35] and was one of four cabinet ministers who visited Yasukuni on the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in August 2020. [36] In the December 2014 general election, she won an overwhelming 96,000-vote majority in her district, defeating the runner-up by 58,000 votes. [37]

    In February 2016, Takaichi commented that the government could suspend the operations of broadcasters that aired politically biased content. [38] The U.S. State Department later described this as "[giving] rise to concerns about increasing government pressure against critical and independent media." [39] An electoral redistricting in 2017, which Takaichi oversaw as internal affairs minister, eliminated one of Nara Prefecture's districts and resulted in Takaichi again potentially facing off with her former rival Sumio Mabuchi. [27] Takaichi was replaced by Seiko Noda on 3 August 2017, but returned to the Internal Affairs and Communications post on 11 September 2019, replacing Masatoshi Ishida. Among other initiatives, she put pressure on NHK to cut its licence fee and reform its governance, [40] and oversaw the distribution of cash handouts during the COVID-19 pandemic. [41]

    First LDP leadership bid (2021)

    In August 2021, Takaichi expressed her willingness to challenge then-Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga for the presidency of the LDP in the scheduled election on 29 September. [42] On 3 September, Suga announced that he would not seek re-election; Takaichi officially announced her bid on 8 September with the support of former Prime Minister Abe. [43] Takaichi was eliminated in the first round of voting, and Fumio Kishida was elected. [44]

    Kishida government (2022–2024)

    Takaichi served as Minister of State for Economic Security in Kishida's government from August 2022. [45] She was in charge of preparing a bill to implement a security clearance system for classified information relating to economic security. The lack of such a system had prevented Japan from joining the Five Eyes. [46] The bill was made law by the Diet in May 2024. [47]

    Hiroyuki Konishi, a Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan-affiliated House of Councillors member, said on 2 March 2023 that he obtained a government document indicating that the former Abe government may have intended to interfere with the freedom of broadcasting by putting pressure on broadcasters that were critical of the LDP. [48] Takaichi was Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications at the time the document was said to have been created. When pressed during a committee session the following day, Takaichi said that the document was "fabricated" and vowed to resign from parliament if the document were proven genuine. [48] Several days later, on 7 March 2023, the Internal Affairs ministry confirmed that the document was created by ministerial officials, and opposition Diet members called on Takaichi to resign. [49] Following the announcement, Takaichi held to her position that the remarks attributed to her within the document were fabricated, adding that Konishi should bear the burden of proving the document's authenticity. [49]

    In August 2023, Takaichi expressed concern that plans to sell the government's stake in Nippon Telegraph and Telephone could make Japan's telecommunications infrastructure vulnerable to China. [50]

    Second LDP leadership bid (2024)

    In August 2024, former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that he would not seek re-election on his post as the President of the LDP. On 9 September, Takaichi announced her second bid to become LDP leader. Among the nine contenders, Takaichi emerged as a frontrunner alongside Shigeru Ishiba and Shinjiro Koizumi. Ultimately, she came first in the first round of voting with 181 votes, but was defeated by Ishiba in the runoff election with 215 votes to Takaichi's 194 votes. [51]

    Third LDP leadership bid (2025)

    Takaichi giving a speech in Nagoya, 2025 Ming Gu Wu deYan Shuo suruGao Shi Zao Miao (2025Nian 9Yue ).jpg
    Takaichi giving a speech in Nagoya, 2025

    Following Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's resignation, Takaichi announced her candidacy for LDP president in the resulting leadership election on 18 September 2025. [52] In early polling, Takaichi and agricultural minister Shinjirō Koizumi were identified as the frontrunners. [53] As campaigning continued, both Takaichi and Koizumi were nearly tied in opinion polls. [54] Takaichi softened her political message during the election campaign, declaring herself a "moderate conservative". She declined to comment on her previous stated intention to visit Yasukuni Shrine as prime minister. [55]

    The election was held on 4 October; Takaichi received 183 votes (31.07%) during the first round, the most of any candidate. [5] Koizumi came in second with 164 votes (27.84%). As no candidate achieved a majority in the first round, a run-off election was held between Takaichi and Koizumi. [5] Takaichi won the runoff by a 54.25% to 45.75% margin, becoming the first woman to hold the post of LDP president. [56] In her first acts as party president, Takaichi appointed Tarō Asō as vice president and Shun'ichi Suzuki as secretary-general of the LDP. [57]

    LDP presidency

    Upon her election as party president, it was already speculated that a Takaichi government would accommodate an interest rate increase by the Bank of Japan early in her possible tenure as prime minister. [58] After her election, the Nikkei 225 share gauge surged past the 47,000 level for the first time and the yen slid in terms of its value. [58] The Nikkei rose over 4% to hit a record high and the index closed 4.75% higher to end the trading day, [59] while the value of the yen lost 1.8% against the dollar. [60]

    Komeito party leader Tetsuo Saito announced on 10 October that his party would break with the LDP and leave the governing coalition, citing disagreements with Takaichi's leadership and the LDP's handling of the slush fund scandal. [61] [62] This development signified the collapse of the 26-year-old LDP–Komeito coalition; [62] as a result, the parliamentary election to choose Japan's next prime minister was pushed back from 15 to 20 October. [61] [63] On 15 October, Takaichi asked Hirofumi Yoshimura, the leader of the Japan Innovation Party, to enter into a coalition with the LDP. [64] On 17 October, the Diet officially voted to set 21 October as the session confirmation date. [65] On 19 October, it was announced that the LDP and the Japan Innovation Party agreed to form a coalition, lasting through October 2027. The leaders of both parties signed a coalition agreement on 20 October, clearing Takaichi's path to the premiership. [66] [67] At the 21 October meeting of the Diet, both houses nominated Takaichi to be the country's first female prime minister. [68] Takaichi avoided a runoff in the lower house, garnering 237 votes against Constitutional Democratic Party leader Yoshihiko Noda's 149. [69] She was officially appointed prime minister by Emperor Naruhito in a ceremony at the Imperial Palace later that day. [70] [71]

    Premiership (2025–present)

    Takaichi in the National Diet following her nomination as prime minister 20251021 shimei 01.jpg
    Takaichi in the National Diet following her nomination as prime minister

    After becoming prime minister on 21 October, Takaichi formed her cabinet. While she had said that she wanted her cabinet to include as many women as those in the Nordic countries, [72] [73] only two women would actually join the cabinet: Satsuki Katayama as Japan's first female finance minister, [74] and Kimi Onoda as economic security minister. [72] In her inaugural press conference, Takaichi said that she "prioritised equality of opportunity" above all else, and had selected ministers based on their qualifications, not gender. [75] [76]

    The cabinet was viewed as favoring party unity, with Takaichi's rivals receiving key positions: Toshimitsu Motegi as foreign minister, Yoshimasa Hayashi as internal affairs minister and Shinjiro Koizumi as defense minister. Ishiba's confidant Ryosei Akazawa was promoted to minister of economy, trade and industry, showing a degree of continuity. [77] [78] Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, however, is ideologically aligned with Takaichi, a break from recent prime ministers. [79]

    Prime Minister Takaichi speaks in front of reporters on her first press conference as Prime Minister at the Kantei Sanae Takaichi 20251021 press conference (1).jpg
    Prime Minister Takaichi speaks in front of reporters on her first press conference as Prime Minister at the Kantei

    On her first press conference as Prime Minister on 21 October 2025, Takaichi outlined her key priorities on her premiership such as tackling rising inflation and also announced her proposal of the suspension of the provisional gasoline tax rate. Takaichi also announced her other plans such as the proposal for creating a back-up capital region, overhauling the country's social security system, revising the constitution, and creating a majority government to bring stability while listening to opposition parties regarding national policies and raising the national tax-free income threshold. Takaichi also stated that crisis management is part of her core agendas in her premiership and laid out her plans to increase the collaboration of the public and private sectors in investing in economic, energy, and food security. [80] According to local reports, Takaichi is currently planning a ¥13.9 trillion ($92.19 billion) economic stimulus package as part of her first economic initiative policies aimed for "responsible proactive fiscal policy", which has three main pillars; namely measures to counter inflation, investment in growth industries, and national security. Other proposals also include the expansion of local government grants for small and medium businesses and additional investments in technology such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors. [81]

    Political positions

    Takaichi has been described as holding staunch conservative and Japanese nationalist views, [82] [83] [84] citing former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher as a role model [13] [85] and deeply influential on her personal political beliefs. [b] Like Thatcher, she is called the "Iron Lady of the East". [c] Takaichi is a member of Nippon Kaigi, an organisation that argues for a reinterpretation of Japanese history amongst ultranationalist lines. [93] Taro Kono, another LDP minister and member of the House of Representatives, has said that Takaichi is on the far right of the political spectrum within the LDP. [94] Takaichi has been described as far-right by Deutsche Welle and the South China Morning Post , [95] [96] while Time magazine described her as an ultraconservative. [97]

    Immigration

    Like her fellow candidates in the 2025 LDP leadership election, Takaichi has been described as taking a "hard-line stance" on immigration. The New York Times stated that during her leadership campaign "she seized on a wave of anti-immigrant sentiment". [98] Specifically she has been described as wanting "tighter restrictions on immigration" [99] and employed "anti-immigration rhetoric" during her campaign. [100]

    During the campaign she called for a "crackdown" on illegal migration and emphasized that "foreigners must strictly obey" Japanese law stating that those who overstay their visa or abscond from justice should be treated as harshly as Japanese citizens. She proposed that policies be reconsidered from the ground up, with an aim to establish an "orderly coexistence" between Japanese citizens and immigrants based on "mutual consideration" in communities. In her campaign manifesto she also proposed establishing an agency to tackle issues such as visa overstays, overtourism, and land purchases by foreign nationals, particularly near defense facilities and strategic assets. On refugees she explicitly stated: "For those who come [to Japan] with financial motives and claim that they are refugees, I'll have you go home." [101] [102]

    Takaichi supports adoption of a "Comprehensive Economic Security Act" that would establish laws and organizations to prevent foreign students and engineers who come to Japan from nations like China from taking Japanese technology back to their home countries for military purposes. [103]

    Economics

    Takaichi is known for favouring proactive government spending. She supports heavy government investment in critical strategic sectors in what she refers to as "crisis management investment". These include: artificial intelligence, semiconductors, nuclear fusion, biotechnology, and defence. [104] She supports maintaining Shinzo Abe's policy of Abenomics. [105] During the 2025 LDP leadership election, she said she would consider paying for an economic stimulus plan by issuing bonds to service the national debt. [106]

    During her 2021 run for LDP leader, she put forward a three-pronged "Plan to Strengthen the Japanese Economy", also known as "New Abenomics" or "Sanaenomics". The first prong is expansionary monetary policy, the second prong is "flexible fiscal spending in response to crises," and the third prong is "bold investment in crisis management and growth". [107] The plan places particular emphasis on "bold crisis management and growth investment", which will involve large-scale fiscal spending and the development of legal systems and new economic bonds. [108]

    Takaichi has advocated for tax increases on corporations. She has considered raising taxes on cash deposits rather than retained earnings, and in September 2021 she estimated that "a 1% tax on corporate cash deposits would increase tax revenue by 2 trillion yen. Even if companies with capital of 100 million yen or less are excluded, tax revenue would increase by 1 trillion yen." [107]

    Social issues

    Takaichi has expressed socially conservative views on several issues. [13] She said in December 2020 that proposed legislation to recognize separate family names for married couples could "destroy the social structure based on family units". [109] Takaichi also opposes revising the Imperial Household Law to allow women to accede the Chrysanthemum Throne. [13] While opposing the legalization of same-sex marriage, she has also said that "there should be no prejudice against sexual orientation or gender identity" and expressed support in "promoting understanding itself." [110]

    Takaichi has advocated stricter regulations on the media, including penalties for outlets that she believes unfairly criticize the government, and legal consequences for defacing or damaging Japan's national flag. [93] In 2014, she hosted office visits for far-right extremists. [93] Also in 2014, a photo surfaced of Takaichi pictured for an advertisement in a Tokyo magazine endorsing a 1994 book titled Hitler's Election Strategy. [111] Takaichi serves as the vice chairperson of the parliamentary conference of the Shinto Association of Spiritual Leadership (Shinto Seiji Renmei), [20] which advocates for restoration of Shinto religious rites and moral education. [112]

    Foreign policy

    Takaichi, like all other candidates in the 2025 LDP leadership election, supports revising article nine of the Japanese constitution to include mention of the Japan Self-Defence Forces. [113] In 2021, she advocated revising the constitution to reposition the Self-Defense Forces as a "National Army", and increasing defense spending to promote the procurement of advanced equipment and research and development. She stated that in the event of war, "it is important to neutralize enemy bases first." [114] She has proposed the adoption of anti-espionage legislation, something also supported by the opposition parties such as the Democratic Party for the People. [102] She is also in favour of the creation of a national intelligence agency. [115]

    Takaichi has been critical of Chinese economic practices such as intellectual property theft, and has voiced support for reducing economic dependence on China. She has argued for deployment of US medium-range missiles to Japan, [116] and the removal of marine buoys placed by China in waters both countries claim as part of the Senkaku Islands dispute. [117] In April 2025, she visited Taiwan and met with President Lai Ching-te. She has repeated Shinzo Abe's statement that a "Taiwan emergency is a Japan emergency." [118] During the 2021 Liberal Democratic Party leadership election, in which she placed third, her stance on China was the most hawkish of any candidate. [116]

    In 2008, Takaichi published a statement on protests calling for revision of the U.S.–Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), following the arrest of a US marine in Okinawa on suspicion of child rape. [119] Takaichi argued the US was unlikely to approve a more favorable extradition agreement, as the US would not accept the Japanese judicial system's barring of a defense attorney presence during interrogations, and could also weaken its military commitment to Japan. She also argued that changing the SOFA with the US could lead to a change in the SOFA between the United Nations and Iraq, exposing the Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group to Iraqi jurisdiction. [120]

    On nuclear weapons policy, she has said "It is contradictory to say that we will adhere to the Three Non-Nuclear Principles while gaining deterrence under the US nuclear umbrella." [121] She has argued for the consideration of allowing US nuclear weapons into Japanese territory on land and sea in an emergency. [122] In March 2022, she said that "Ukraine is not a distant issue", pointing to Russian military bases in the Kuril Islands, as well as China. [123]

    Japanese history

    Takaichi has made multiple visits to Yasukuni Shrine, which is seen as controversial by China and South Korea, primarily for its enshrinement of Japanese war criminals. [98] She made visits in April and August 2024, both times signing as minister of state. [124] [125] [13] She also visited in August 2025, on the 80th anniversary of the surrender of Japan. [126] In the 2021 LDP leadership race, she said she would continue to visit the shrine if elected Prime Minister, [116] but in the 2025 race avoided commenting on the question. [127]

    In 2022, Takaichi made remarks about the Yasukuni Shrine issue that were controversial in South Korea. [128] She said, "When we act ambiguously, such as stopping our visits to Yasukuni Shrine midway, the other side climbs up", using the derogatory Japanese word tsukeagaru, which means "to take advantage of someone's politeness or kindness and act impudently". She went on to say that continuing to visit the shrine would eventually make "neighbouring countries...look foolish and stop complaining". [128]

    Takaichi has said that war crimes committed by Japan in World War II have been exaggerated. [13] She takes a negative view of the Kono and the Murayama statements, which issued apologies for Japanese war crimes, including comfort women. In an appearance on a television program on 18 August 2002, Takaichi was asked, "Do you think Japan's war after the Manchurian Incident was a war of self-defence?" to which she replied, "I think it was a war for security." [129]

    In 2004, Takaichi wrote a column on her website regarding the Japanese history textbook controversies. She defended recent comments by Nariaki Nakayama, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) that textbooks were "extremely self-deprecating" and should continue decreasing usage of terms including "comfort women" and "forced labor". She wrote that the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces made "overseas advances" ( 海外 での 進軍 , kaigai deno shingun) that textbooks termed as "invasion" ( 侵略 , shinryaku), while foreign offensives like the Soviet invasion of Manchuria were termed "southward advance" ( 南下 , nanka). She argued against the inclusion by some school textbooks of China's death toll estimate for the Nanjing Massacre. She recounted her complaint to MEXT against textbooks that included criticism of the government's Act on National Flag and Anthem and of then–Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni Shrine. She said it was "clear" that Japan "intended to wage a war of self-defense". [130]

    Personal life

    Takaichi married a fellow member of the House of Representatives, Taku Yamamoto, in 2004. [131] They have no children together, but Takaichi adopted Yamamoto's three children from a previous marriage. They divorced in July 2017, with Takaichi citing differing political views and aspirations as the reason. [132] [133] They remarried in December 2021. She has four grandchildren through her stepchildren. [134] [135] After undergoing surgery for a gynecological disease, Takaichi found it difficult to conceive and give birth, and gave up on having children. In 2007, she said, "I want society to be welcoming to infertile women." [136]

    During her first marriage, Takaichi assumed her husband's family name legally, but continued to use her maiden name in public life. Upon remarriage, Taku Yamamoto took the name Takaichi instead, fulfilling the legal requirement that married couples have the same family name. [2] Yamamoto suffered from a cerebral infarction in 2025, leaving the right side of his body paralysed. Takaichi serves as his caregiver. [137] Despite being members of opposing political parties, Takaichi is known to be friends with CDP President Yoshihiko Noda, who also serves as the opposition leader since 2024. Noda was Takaichi's senior during their time at the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management. [138] [139]

    A view of Takaichi's Toyota Supra A70 currently displayed in a museum in Nara The frontview of Toyota SUPRA 2.5GT TWIN turbo LIMITED mid-year 1991 that Sanae Takaichi used to drive.jpg
    A view of Takaichi's Toyota Supra A70 currently displayed in a museum in Nara

    Takaichi is an avid fan of JRA horse racing, a heavy metal and Japanese rock listener, especially from artists Demon Kakka, B'z, and X Japan, and is a supporter of sporting teams such as Gamba Osaka and Hanshin Tigers. [140] Takaichi was known to play the drums and the piano during her youth. [141] She also holds a title of Sommelier d'honneur and has an interest in motorcycles, having owned a Kawasaki Z400. [17] Takaichi is also known to be practicing judo, karate, a scuba diver and a car enthusiast, formerly owning a 1991 Toyota Supra A70 2.5GT Twin-Turbo Limited during her early years in parliament and used the car to drive to her workplace for over 20 years. Takaichi's Supra A70 served as a replacement to her Toyota Supra Celica XX. The car is currently on display in a local Toyota dealership museum in Nara. [19] [142] Takaichi is also known to be a heavy smoker and a known manga lover, being a particular fan of Bari Bari Densetsu and Kaji Ryusuke no Gi. [143] [144]

    Electoral history

    ElectionAgeDistrictPolitical partyNumber of voteselection results
    1992 Japanese House of Councillors election 31 Nara at-large district Independent 159,274lost
    1993 Japanese general election 32 Nara At-large  [ ja ]Independent131,345won
    1996 Japanese general election 35 Nara 1st district NFP 60,507won
    2000 Japanese general election 39 Kinki proportional representation block LDP won
    2003 Japanese general election 42Nara 1st districtLDP65,538lost
    2005 Japanese general election 44 Nara 2nd district LDP92,096won
    2009 Japanese general election 48Nara 2nd districtLDP94,879elected by PR
    2012 Japanese general election 51Nara 2nd districtLDP86,747won
    2014 Japanese general election 53Nara 2nd districtLDP96,218won
    2017 Japanese general election 56Nara 2nd districtLDP124,508won
    2021 Japanese general election 60Nara 2nd districtLDP141,858won
    2024 Japanese general election 63Nara 2nd districtLDP128,554won
    [145] [146]

    Notes

    1. Japanese: 高市早苗, romanized: Takaichi Sanae, pronounced [takaꜜitɕisanae] . Her family name is legally registered as 髙市, [1] using the variant character . Her legal name was Sanae Yamamoto (山本早苗, Yamamoto Sanae) during her first marriage. [2]
    2. Attributed to multiple sources: [13] [86] [87] [88] [89]
    3. Attributed to multiple sources: [85] [90] [91] [92]

    References

    1. 令和6年10月27日執行 衆議院議員総選挙・最高裁判所裁判官国民審査 (PDF). www.city.nara.lg.jp (in Japanese). Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
    2. 1 2 "(2ページ目)高市早苗政調会長の再婚 夫の山本拓・前衆院議員が「高市姓」に". Shūkan Bunshun (in Japanese). 27 April 2022. Archived from the original on 28 April 2022.
    3. "奈良県出身総理は初、関西では宇野氏以来 歴代首相出身地一覧 長州藩の山口県が最多". 産経新聞 (in Japanese). 22 October 2025. Archived from the original on 24 October 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
    4. Junko Ogura, Selina Wang and Helen Regan (29 September 2021). "Fumio Kishida expected to become Japan's next Prime Minister after ruling party vote". CNN. Archived from the original on 29 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
    5. 1 2 3 Semans, Himari; Ninivaggi, Gabriele; Takahara, Kanako (4 October 2025). "Takaichi poised to become Japan's first female PM after winning LDP poll". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 5 October 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
    6. McCurry, Justin (20 October 2025). "Sanae Takaichi on course to become Japan's first female PM after new coalition deal". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 October 2025.
    7. Geddie, John (21 October 2025). "Inspired by Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi becomes Japan's first female premier". Reuters. Archived from the original on 24 October 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
    8. Osaki, Tomohiro. "Could Japan soon have a female leader? Sanae Takaichi emerges as a contender". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 5 September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
    9. "Fumio Kishida Is Japan's New Prime Minister. Here's How He Beat a Much More Popular Rival". Time . 29 September 2021. Archived from the original on 29 September 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2025. Yoshikazu Kato, a director of a Tokyo-based research and consulting firm Trans-Pacific Group (TPG), believes Kishida's team was able to secure more votes with help from supporters of ultraconservative candidate Sanae Takaichi—who was vying to become Japan's first female prime minister.
    10. "高市大休氏が死去 高市早苗自民党政調会長の父". Nikkei Shimbun (in Japanese). 6 May 2013. Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
    11. "【おくやみ】高市和子さん(高市早苗前総務相の母)". Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 22 October 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
    12. "第201回国会 本会議 第10号(令和2年3月17日(火曜日))". www.shugiin.go.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 19 March 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
    13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rich, Motoko; Inoue, Makiko; Hida, Hikari (20 September 2021). "A Hard-Line Conservative Hopes to Be Japan's First Female Leader". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on 20 September 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
    14. 1 2 "高市早苗氏の意外な過去にフェミニストも震えた 総理の座を狙う過程で何があったのか おんなの話はありがたい" [Even feminists tremble at Sanae Takaichi's surprising past: what happened on the road to prime minister? It's nice to hear a woman's side of the story]. PRESIDENT Online (in Japanese). 16 September 2021. Archived from the original on 30 April 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
    15. "Sanae Takaichi is Japan's New Prime Minister, and She's a Heavy Metal Drummer". The New York Times. 21 October 2025. Archived from the original on 21 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
    16. 1 2 Treisman, Rachel (21 October 2025). "5 things to know about Sanae Takaichi, Japan's first female prime minister". NPR. Archived from the original on 22 October 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
    17. 1 2 "Meet Sanae Takaichi: Heavy metal fan, former biker chick and Japan's PM-in-waiting". The Straits Times. 4 October 2025. ISSN   0585-3923. Archived from the original on 4 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
    18. "TAKAICHI Sanae (The Cabinet)". Prime Minister's Office of Japan. Archived from the original on 22 July 2025.
    19. 1 2 3 "Sanae Takaichi: Meet Japan's drum-playing, Thatcher-loving first female PM". www.bbc.com. 21 October 2025. Archived from the original on 10 October 2025.
    20. 1 2 "プロフィール | 高市早苗(たかいちさなえ)". sanae.gr.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 29 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
    21. "高市早苗氏が30年前、立民・蓮舫氏と並んでテレビ司会をしていた過去". NEWSポストセブン (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 16 September 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
    22. "高市早苗・前総務相が語った「バンドのドラマーだった時代」". FRIDAYデジタル (in Japanese). 26 September 2021. Archived from the original on 26 September 2021.
    23. 1 2 3 4 "The Cabinet: TAKAICHI Sanae". Prime Minister's Office. Archived from the original on 26 October 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
    24. "新党結成、政界再編の歴史 写真特集:時事ドットコム". 時事ドットコム (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
    25. "Takaichi Sanae: A Look at the First-Ever Woman to Lead the LDP". Nippon. 5 October 2025. Archived from the original on 5 October 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
    26. "Sanae TAKAICHI". Japan Kantei.go. Archived from the original on 22 July 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
    27. 1 2 Johnston, Eric (21 May 2017). "Redrawing of Nara's electoral map may force internal affairs chief into rematch with DP's Mabuchi". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 21 May 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
    28. Osaki, Tomohiro. "Could Japan soon have a female leader? Sanae Takaichi emerges as a contender". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 5 September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
    29. Although the term "Youth Affairs" is used in its official English title, the original Japanese title shōshika (少子化) is more aptly translated as "diminishing birth rate issue".
    30. "Japan's Abe skips visit to WWII shrine". The Toronto Star. 16 August 2007. Archived from the original on 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
    31. Martin, Alexander (9 January 2013). "Official Urges Abe to Review War Apologies". Wall Street Journal. ISSN   0099-9660. Archived from the original on 17 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
    32. "Neo-Nazi photos pose headache for Shinzo Abe". The Guardian. 9 September 2014. Archived from the original on 9 September 2014.
    33. Bacchi, Umberto (11 September 2014). "Japan: Adolf Hitler Book Haunts Interior Minister Sanae Takaichi]". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014.
    34. "3 Japan Cabinet ministers visit controversial Yasukuni Shrine a day after PM Abe's offering". Straitstimes.com. 18 October 2014. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014.
    35. "Abe aide prays for world peace during visit to war-linked Yasukuni Shrine". The Japan Times. 19 October 2016. Archived from the original on 8 November 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
    36. "EDITORIAL: Ministerial visits to Yasukuni cast doubts on Abe's views on history". The Asahi Shimbun. Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
    37. Johnston, Eric (21 December 2014). "In no-surprise poll, parties' main players re-elected in Kinki". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 1 April 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
    38. Osaki, Tomohiro (9 February 2016). "Sanae Takaichi warns that government can shut down broadcasters it feels are biased". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 9 February 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
    39. "Japan 2016 Human Rights Report" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 May 2019.
    40. "Communications ministry asks NHK to cut viewing fees further". The Japan Times. 6 February 2020. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
    41. "Japan kicks off application process for ¥100,000 virus-relief handouts". The Japan Times. 1 May 2020. Archived from the original on 2 May 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
    42. "LDP's Takaichi seeks Japan's possession of 'national defense forces'". Mainichi Daily News. 27 August 2021. Archived from the original on 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
    43. "Ex-PM Abe supports conservative ally Takaichi as Suga's successor". Kyodo News. 4 September 2021. Archived from the original on 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
    44. McCurry, Justin (29 September 2021). "Fumio Kishida set to be new Japanese PM after winning party election". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077. Archived from the original on 29 September 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
    45. "高市氏、経済安保相就任「つらい思い」 前任者の留任要望". 日本経済新聞 (in Japanese). 15 August 2022. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
    46. "Japan Seeks Security Clearance System in Line With US Allies". Bloomberg. 31 May 2023. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023.
    47. "Japan's Diet enacts law to create economic security clearance system". Japan Wire by KYODO NEWS. 10 May 2024. Archived from the original on 27 August 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
    48. 1 2 "Japan minister vows to quit if document on broadcasters proven real". Kyodo News. 3 March 2023. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
    49. 1 2 "Japan ministry says files suggesting pressure on media were its documents". Kyodo News. 7 March 2023. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
    50. "LDP Considers Sale of NTT Shares in Bid to Strengthen Defense". JAPAN Forward. 30 August 2023. Archived from the original on 24 September 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
    51. "【速報中】自民党新総裁に石破氏 決選投票で高市氏破る". Nikkei (in Japanese). 27 September 2024. Archived from the original on 30 September 2024.
    52. "PM contender Takaichi vows fiscal expansion to make Japan a 'Rising Sun' again". Reuters. 18 September 2025. Archived from the original on 3 October 2025.
    53. Kaneko, Kaori; Swift, Rocky (8 September 2025). "Japan PM hopefuls prepare leadership bids, markets recoil". Reuters. Archived from the original on 8 September 2025. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
    54. Murakami, Sakura (28 September 2025). "Japan Polls Split on Whether Koizumi or Takaichi Leads LDP Race". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
    55. "Takaichi Sanae, the hardline nationalist who may soon lead Japan" . The Economist. ISSN   0013-0613. Archived from the original on 2 October 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
    56. "Sanae Takaichi set to become Japan's first female prime minister". BBC News. 4 October 2025. Archived from the original on 5 October 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
    57. "Soft-spoken Shunichi Suzuki is son of ex-PM and brother-in-law of Taro Aso". Mainichi Shimbun. 7 October 2025. Archived from the original on 10 October 2025.
    58. 1 2 "Takaichi could tolerate another BOJ rate hike by January, economic adviser says". Reuters. 6 October 2025. Archived from the original on 22 October 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
    59. "Japan stocks hit record after ruling party names pro-business leader". BBC News. 6 October 2025. Archived from the original on 6 October 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
    60. "Takaichi Win Sends Yen Plunging With Bonds as Stocks Jump". Bloomberg. 6 October 2025. Archived from the original on 6 October 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
    61. 1 2 Jie, Lim Hui (10 October 2025). "Takaichi's bid for Japan's premiership jolted as Komeito quits ruling coalition, NHK reports". CNBC. Archived from the original on 10 October 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
    62. 1 2 "Japan in political crisis as coalition collapses". France 24. 10 October 2025. Archived from the original on 22 October 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
    63. "Japan's ruling coalition splits, throwing Takaichi's PM bid into doubt". Reuters. 10 October 2025. Archived from the original on 10 October 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
    64. "LDP head Takaichi asks opposition JIP to form coalition ahead of PM vote". Kyodo News. 15 October 2025. Archived from the original on 22 October 2025. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
    65. "Sanae Takaichi poised to become Japan's first woman PM as vote set for October 21". India Today. 17 October 2025. Archived from the original on 22 October 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
    66. Semans, Himari; Ninvaggi, Gabrielle; Takahara, Kanako (20 October 2025). "Path clears for Takaichi to become PM as LDP and JIP agree to form coalition". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 22 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
    67. "Japan's LDP, Ishin agree to form coalition government, Kyodo says". Reuters. 19 October 2025. Archived from the original on 24 October 2025. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
    68. "Sanae Takaichi wins historic vote to become Japan's first female prime minister". BBC News. 21 October 2025. Archived from the original on 21 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
    69. Ninivaggi, Gabriele (21 October 2025). "Sanae Takaichi makes history as Japan's first female prime minister". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 21 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
    70. "「高市内閣」発足 初入閣は10人 就任会見で政権運営の方針や人事の狙いなど説明へ". TBS CROSS DIG with Bloomberg (in Japanese). 21 October 2025. Archived from the original on 22 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
    71. "What Takaichi's Historic Win as Prime Minister Means for Japan?". Bloomberg. 21 October 2025. Archived from the original on 22 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
    72. 1 2 McCurry, Justin (21 October 2025). "Sanae Takaichi appoints just two women to cabinet after becoming Japan's first female PM". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077. Archived from the original on 22 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
    73. "高市早苗氏を憲政史上初の女性首相に選出 参院では決選投票:朝日新聞". The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). 21 October 2025. Archived from the original on 24 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
    74. "Japan Set to Have First Female Finance Minister, Reports Say". Bloomberg. 21 October 2025. Archived from the original on 22 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
    75. "高市早苗・自民党総裁、第104代首相に選出 憲政史上初の女性宰相" [LDP President Sanae Takaichi is 104th Prime Minister and the First Woman to Hold the Role since the Introduction of Constitutional Government]. BBC News (in Japanese). 21 October 2025. Archived from the original on 22 October 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
    76. "Sanae Takaichi makes history as Japan's first female prime minister". BBC News. 21 October 2025. Archived from the original on 21 October 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
    77. Abe, Yuta; Misawa, Daiki (22 October 2025). "Japan Prime Minister Seeks Party Unity in New Cabinet; LDP Campaign Rivals Named to Key Posts". Japan News. Yomiuri Shimbun. Archived from the original on 24 October 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
    78. MacArthur Bosack, Michael (22 October 2025). "Breaking down Sanae Takaichi's Cabinet picks". Japan Times. Archived from the original on 24 October 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
    79. Ninivaggi, Gabriele (21 October 2025). "Who is Minoru Kihara, Takaichi's new 'cool-headed' spokesman?". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 24 October 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
    80. "PM Takaichi sets priorities in first news conference". NHK News. Archived from the original on 24 October 2025.
    81. "Exclusive: Japan's new PM is preparing large economic stimulus to tackle inflation, sources say". 22 October 2025. Archived from the original on 24 October 2025.
    82. Pekkanen, Robert J.; Reed, Steven R.; Smith, Daniel M. (30 November 2022). Japan Decides 2021: The Japanese General Election. Springer Nature. p. 89. ISBN   978-3-031-11324-6. Archived from the original on 7 October 2025.
    83. Dobson, Hugo; Narita, Karin; Rose, Caroline (23 October 2025). Former Prime Ministers in Japan: Power, Influence and the Role of Informal Politics. Policy Press. p. 119. ISBN   978-1-5292-0683-8. Archived from the original on 10 October 2025.
    84. Fujimura-Fanselow, Kumiko (6 December 2018). Transforming Japan: How Feminism and Diversity Are Making a Difference. The Feminist Press at CUNY. ISBN   978-1-55861-700-1. Archived from the original on 10 October 2025.
    85. 1 2 "Does Sanae Takaichi have a real shot at becoming Japan's first female leader?". The Japan Times . 25 September 2024. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
    86. "Takaichi Sanae, the hardline nationalist who may soon lead Japan". The Economist . 26 September 2025. Archived from the original on 2 October 2025. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
    87. "Japanese PM denies media reports of his resignation after bruising election loss". France 24. 23 July 2025. Archived from the original on 24 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
    88. Inagaki, Kana (8 September 2021). "Sanae Takaichi outlines bid to become Japan's first female prime minister". Financial Times. Tokyo. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
    89. McCurry, Justin (7 September 2025). "Japan PM Shigeru Ishiba to resign amid fallout from disastrous elections". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077. Archived from the original on 7 September 2025. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
    90. "Will 'Iron Lady' Takaichi Sanae Be Japan's First Female Prime Minister?". The Diplomat . 24 September 2025. Archived from the original on 25 September 2025. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
    91. "Japan's 'Iron Lady' Sanae Takaichi appeals to China hawks before LDP vote". South China Morning Post . 21 September 2021. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
    92. "Who is Japan's 'Iron Lady' Sanae Takaichi?". BBC News . 4 October 2025. Archived from the original on 4 October 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
    93. 1 2 3 Mark, Craig (6 September 2021). "Who will replace Yoshihide Suga as Japan's prime minister? Here's a rundown of the candidates". The Conversation. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
    94. Johnston, Eric (9 September 2024). "Sanae Takaichi unveils LDP president bid with call for party's rebirth". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 9 September 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
    95. Ryall, Julian (10 February 2024). "Japan: Election looms as key test for new PM". Deutsche Welle. Tokyo. Archived from the original on 2 October 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
    96. "Politicians accused of extremism after photos with Japanese far-right leader". South China Morning Post. 9 September 2014. Archived from the original on 10 September 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
    97. "A Hard-Line Conservative Hopes to Be Japan's First Female Leader (Published 2021)". 20 September 2021. Archived from the original on 20 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
    98. 1 2 "Sanae Takaichi Is Likely to Be Japan's Next Leader. Who Is She?". The New York Times. 4 October 2025. Archived from the original on 4 October 2025.
    99. Lewis, Leo (4 October 2025). "Japan set for first female PM after Sanae Takaichi wins leadership race". Financial Times. Tokyo. Archived from the original on 4 October 2025. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
    100. Maslow, Sebastian (6 October 2025). "Is Sanae Takaichi Japan's Margaret Thatcher — or its next Liz Truss?". The Conversation. Archived from the original on 5 October 2025. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
    101. Semans, Himari (26 September 2025). "LDP presidential hopefuls take hard-line stance on immigration". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 26 September 2025. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
    102. 1 2 Manning, Daniel (6 October 2025). "Sanae Takaichi: What the Foreign Media Gets Wrong About Her". Japan Forward. Archived from the original on 6 October 2025. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
    103. "「経済安全保障包括法」はやらなければならない ~高市早苗前総務大臣が総裁選へ出馬表明". Nippon Broadcasting News (in Japanese). 10 September 2021. Archived from the original on 10 September 2021.
    104. Khan, Sana (2 October 2025). "Strategic Spending in an Age of Uncertainty: Takaichi's Bid for Japan's Premiership". Modern Diplomacy. Archived from the original on 5 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
    105. Brasor, Philip (25 September 2021). "Sanae Takaichi asserts her independence with the media". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 25 September 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
    106. "Japan PM hopeful Takaichi eager to boost deficit-covering bonds if needed". Kyodo News. 23 September 2025. Archived from the original on 23 September 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
    107. 1 2 "【わが政権構想】日本経済強靭化計画|高市早苗". Hanada (in Japanese). 3 September 2021. Archived from the original on 5 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
    108. "高市氏「治療薬やワクチンを日本で作るための投資に国費を」…TV番組で訴え". 読売新聞 (in Japanese). 12 September 2021. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021.
    109. Jha, Preeti (3 March 2021). "The couples accused of destroying Japan's families". BBC. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
    110. "高市早苗経済安保相、LGBT法案に慎重姿勢「文言に調整必要」:朝日新聞". 朝日新聞 (in Japanese). 9 February 2023. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
    111. Johnston, Eric (10 September 2014). "New Cabinet ministers' pasts coming back to haunt Abe". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
    112. "Shinto Association of Spiritual Leadership (Shinseiren)". Constitutional Revision. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
    113. 政治部, 時事通信 (4 October 2025). "憲法改正、連立拡大が試金石 5候補、自衛隊明記目指す―自民総裁選:時事ドットコム". 時事ドットコム (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 22 October 2025. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
    114. "高市早苗氏まさかの自民新総裁"爆誕"も タカ派人気とアベ・ファーストで現実味". Nikkan Gendai (in Japanese). 6 September 2021. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
    115. "Takaichi Sanae and the Rise of Conservative Populism in Japan". thediplomat.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2025. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
    116. 1 2 3 "日本继任首相争夺战 中国变成发烧话题". 美国之音 (in Chinese). 23 September 2021. Archived from the original on 4 May 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
    117. 産経新聞 (9 September 2024). "高市早苗氏、中国に「言うべきは言う」尖閣ブイは撤去 韓国は「昭和ソング人気うれしい」". 産経新聞:産経ニュース (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 9 September 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
    118. 由章, 西見 (4 October 2025). "台湾の頼総統「高市氏は台湾の揺るぎない友人」と祝意 4月の訪台で会談、連携強化で一致". 産経新聞:産経ニュース (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 5 October 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
    119. "Japan anger at US troop incidents". 22 February 2008. Archived from the original on 25 February 2008. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
    120. "米兵不祥事と日米地位協定見直し論" (in Japanese). 高市早苗. 26 February 2008. Archived from the original on 22 June 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
    121. "高市氏、核兵器「持ち込ませず」は拡大抑止と矛盾 テレビ番組で発言". 毎日新聞 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 28 September 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
    122. Lee, Michelle Ye Hee; Tanaka, Chie (4 October 2025). "Sanae Takaichi is set to become Japan's first female prime minister". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 4 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
    123. "高市早苗氏、ウクライナ侵攻は「遠いところの話ではない」 非核三原則「持ち込ませず」は「党内で議論を」(スポニチアネックス) - Yahoo!ニュース". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
    124. "Japanese minister Takaichi visits Yasukuni Shrine". The Japan Times. 23 April 2024. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
    125. "Three Cabinet ministers visit war-linked Yasukuni Shrine". The Japan Times. 15 August 2024. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
    126. "Japan minister joins crowds at contentious shrine to mark 80 years since World War Two defeat". Reuters. 15 August 2025. Archived from the original on 15 August 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
    127. "Japan's ruling party elects Sanae Takaichi as new leader, likely to become first female PM". Politico. Associated Press. 4 October 2025. Archived from the original on 4 October 2025. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
    128. 1 2 "Japan's Likely New Prime Minister Could Unnerve the Region". thediplomat.com. Archived from the original on 22 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
    129. "高市早苗氏の政策・世界観を分析する──「保守」か「右翼」か". Newsweek (in Japanese). 10 September 2021. Archived from the original on 15 September 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
    130. 中山文部科学大臣の陳謝は残念 | 大和の国から 平成15年11月~平成17年8月 | コラム | 高市早苗(たかいちさなえ). Sanae.gr.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 5 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
    131. "Marriage Report". Archived from the original on 2 June 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
    132. "高市総務相「仮面夫婦」だった自民党の山本拓衆院議員と離婚 〈週刊朝日〉". AERA dot. (アエラドット) (in Japanese). 19 July 2017. Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
    133. 「週刊文春」編集部 (27 April 2022). "高市早苗デッド政調会長の再婚 夫の山本拓血を求める・前衆院議員が「高市姓」に". 文春オンライン (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 27 April 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
    134. "高市早苗の家族は?息子は養子?孫の存在・結婚・離婚の情報についても調査! | monjiroBLOG". monjiroBLOG (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
    135. "高市総務相が山本拓議員と離婚 政治的立場の違いで - 社会 : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
    136. "不妊の女性にも温かい社会であって欲しい | 大臣ウィークリー 平成18年9月~平成19年8月 | コラム | 高市早苗(たかいちさなえ)". Sanae.gr.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 24 July 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
    137. "「夫の介護が辛い」高市早苗が総裁選前に漏らした介護の苦労" ["It's difficult caring for my husband": Sanae Takaichi reveals struggle before LDP leadership election]. Gendai Business (in Japanese). 4 October 2025. Archived from the original on 5 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
    138. 和之, 長橋 (4 October 2025). "バイクにドラム、目指すはサッチャー英首相…高市新総裁、政策作りは寝る間惜しんで". 産経新聞:産経ニュース (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 4 October 2025.
    139. "高市早苗氏、立憲民主党・野田佳彦新代表を歓迎 「共感して尊敬」". 日本経済新聞 (in Japanese). 23 September 2024. Archived from the original on 5 October 2025.
    140. ""アンチG民"鳥越俊太郎氏、小池百合子氏と仲良く虎トークしていた". デイリースポーツ (in Japanese). 13 July 2016. Archived from the original on 13 July 2016.
    141. "プロフィール | 高市早苗(たかいちさなえ)". www.sanae.gr.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 10 October 2025.
    142. "Japan's First Female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi Owns a 1991 Supra 2.5GT Twin-Turbo Limited". Car and Driver. 6 October 2025. Archived from the original on 7 October 2025.
    143. "「キティちゃん好きのヘビースモーカーで虎キチでした」元番記者が語る高市早苗・自民党新総裁の"素顔"(全文)". デイリー新潮 (in Japanese). 9 October 2025. Archived from the original on 9 October 2025.
    144. "高市早苗 愛読書は『バリバリ伝説』! 「裏六甲でカーブを攻めた」美人バイカー写真を公開". Smart FLASH/スマフラ[光文社週刊誌] (in Japanese). 21 September 2021. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021.
    145. "高市早苗 | 第49回衆議院議員選挙 2021 奈良2区". 政治山 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 15 September 2025. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
    146. "高市早苗 | 選挙結果(衆議院) | 国会議員白書". kokkai.sugawarataku.net (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
    House of Representatives (Japan)
    Multi-member constituency Member of the House of Representatives
    for Nara at-large district (multi-member)

    1993–1996
    Constituency abolished
    New constituency Member of the House of Representatives
    for Nara 1st district

    1996–2000
    Succeeded by
    Proportional representation Member of the House of Representatives
    for Kinki

    2000–2003
    Proportional representation
    Preceded by Member of the House of Representatives
    for Nara 2nd district

    2005–2009
    Succeeded by
    Proportional representation Member of the House of Representatives
    for Kinki

    2009–2012
    Proportional representation
    Preceded by Member of the House of Representatives
    for Nara 2nd district

    2012–present
    Incumbent
    Political offices
    Preceded by Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs
    2006–2007
    Succeeded by
    Preceded by Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy
    2006–2007
    Minister of State for Food Safety
    2006–2007
    Succeeded by
    Preceded by Minister of State for Gender Equality and Social Affairs
    2006–2007
    Succeeded by
    New office Minister of State for Innovation
    2006–2007
    Position abolished
    Preceded by Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications
    2014–2017
    Succeeded by
    Preceded by Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications
    2019–2020
    Succeeded by
    Preceded by Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy
    Minister of State for Space Policy
    Minister of State for Economic Security

    2022–2024
    Succeeded by
    Preceded by Minister of State for Intellectual Property Strategy
    2022–2024
    Preceded by Minister of State for "Cool Japan" Strategy
    2023–2024
    Preceded by Prime Minister of Japan
    2025–present
    Incumbent
    Party political offices
    Preceded by Chief of the Public Relations Headquarters,
    Liberal Democratic Party

    2012
    Succeeded by
    Chairman of the Policy Research Council,
    Liberal Democratic Party

    2012-2014
    Succeeded by
    Preceded by Chairman of the Policy Research Council,
    Liberal Democratic Party

    2021-2022
    Succeeded by
    Preceded by President of the Liberal Democratic Party
    2025–present
    Incumbent