Japan’s Iron Lady: Sanae Takaichi.. From Rebellious Heavy Metal Drummer to First Female Prime Minister in Japanese History

After a rich political career that included two previous failed attempts, veteran Japanese politician Sanae Takaichi has finally achieved her ambition, becoming the first woman ever to hold the office of Prime Minister in Japan's history. Local media described this achievement as "the birth of Japan's Iron Lady." Takaichi, 64, was elected leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on its 70th anniversary, paving the way for her to officially assume the premiership upon parliamentary confirmation in mid-October.

From Rebellious Drummer to National Leader

Takaichi was born in 1961 in Nara Prefecture to a modest family; her father was a simple civil servant and her mother a police officer. Politics was not her initial goal. Instead, she possessed a rebellious spirit and strong personality that led her down unconventional paths in her youth, according to a recent report by the BBC. In her younger days, Takaichi was a drummer in a heavy metal band, known for her intense passion for loud music and her ability to break drumsticks during performance due to her excessive enthusiasm. She also pursued diving and loved sports cars, with her favorite model, a Toyota Supra, currently displayed in a museum in Nara City. Before entering politics, she worked briefly as a TV presenter, a role that helped her gain a strong media presence—a trait that continued to define her political career.

Western Inspiration and the Start of the Political Path

Takaichi's interest in politics began during her studies in the United States in the 1980s, where she worked in the office of Democratic US Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder, known for her criticism of Japanese policies at the time. There, Takaichi observed the American tendency to conflate Asian cultures, leading her to the conclusion: "Japan must rely on its own strength so as not to be hostage to the views of others." She ran in her first parliamentary election as an independent in 1992 and lost, but she did not give up, winning a seat a year later and subsequently joining the Liberal Democratic Party in 1996. Since then, she has won ten consecutive elections and held several prominent ministerial positions, notably Minister of Communications, Minister of Economy, and Minister of National Security.

Shinzo Abe's Protégée and the "Iron Lady" Vision

Takaichi is considered one of the closest protégées of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, having adopted his economic vision known as "Abenomics," which is based on large-scale government spending and eased lending conditions. During her recent campaign, she explicitly stated her desire to be "Japan's Iron Lady," a clear reference to her admiration for Baroness Margaret Thatcher, Britain's first female Prime Minister. Despite her well-known conservative stances, Takaichi demonstrated flexibility in her final speech, pledging concrete support for working women through tax discounts for childcare services and expanding women's health services.

Unyielding Will Against Challenges

Takaichi states that she drew strength and determination from her personal experiences caring for elderly and sick family members, adding: "I personally experienced the difficulties of balancing work and caregiving, which is why I want to build a society where no one is forced to quit their job for the sake of their family." Today, facing Japan's escalating economic and demographic challenges, Takaichi has a clear goal: restoring confidence in the ruling party and reclaiming Japan's global standing. As she prepares to officially take office on October 15th, it seems the new "Iron Lady" has already begun writing a new chapter in Japan's history—a chapter where political traditions are broken, just as she used to break drumsticks in her rebellious youth.