Sanae Takaichi set to become Japan’s first woman Prime Minister as Ishiba cabinet resigns

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his cabinet resigned on Tuesday, paving the way for Sanae Takaichi, president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), to become Japan’s first woman Prime Minister.

During an extraordinary cabinet meeting held shortly before 9 am local time, ministers submitted their resignation letters, formally marking the end of Ishiba’s administration, which lasted just over a year.

Both chambers of the Diet will meet later in the day to elect the new Prime Minister. Takaichi is widely expected to win the vote with support from the Japan Innovation Party, which recently formed a coalition with the LDP following Komeito’s exit from the alliance.

Once elected, Takaichi, 64, will finalise her cabinet lineup, with the chief cabinet secretary scheduled to announce the appointments later in the day. She is also expected to hold a press conference outlining her policy priorities and the rationale behind key selections.

Takaichi, a long-time conservative figure within the LDP, is known for her traditionalist views. She has opposed same-sex marriage, supports male-only succession in the imperial family, and does not endorse allowing married couples to retain separate surnames.

Despite her party’s alliance with the Japan Innovation Party, the coalition will not command an outright majority in both houses, potentially posing challenges for her incoming administration’s stability.