Sanae Takaichi Marks One Year as Japan’s First Female Prime Minister: Achievements, Headwinds, and Outlook

Sanae Takaichi, the 65-year-old protégé of the late Shinzo Abe, celebrated the anniversary of her ascent to the premiership in October 2026. In her first year she led the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to a decisive election victory, maintained a “golden age” narrative in the U.S.–Japan alliance, and refused to back down in a diplomatic dispute with China over Taiwan. At the same time, her administration has been rocked by the resignation of agricultural minister Kazuo Yana on 14 October after controversial remarks, a pending consumption-tax cut on food and drink, and mounting cost-of-living concerns.

The Guardian

Takaichi’s “straight-talking” approach diverges sharply from the consensus-building norm of her predecessors. She has held only 34 press briefings in her first five months—far fewer than Shigeru Ishiba and Fumio Kishida (90)—and posted 370 updates on X, according to Kyodo. Her limited in-person meetings with bureaucrats and business leaders, and a preference for evenings at home with husband Taku Yamamoto, have reinforced a perception of isolation within the LDP.

The Guardian

• Approval rating: roughly 50 % in a recent opinion poll, above the 30 % “danger zone” that has historically signaled a government’s collapse.

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• Press briefings: 34 (first five months).

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• Social-media activity: 370 X posts in the same period.

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• Cabinet turnover: Kazuo Yana resigned on 14 October, becoming the first minister to leave the cabinet under Takaichi.

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Both observers stress that handling cabinet slip-ups, satisfying coalition partners, and addressing cost-of-living pressures will be decisive for her political longevity.

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• “Takaichi’s direct style has been an asset … particularly in her diplomatic strategy,” — Sheila

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• “Takaichi may pay some price for the scandal in forthcoming opinion polls,” — Tobias Harris

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• “She will need to handle slip-ups by cabinet members, hurdles in keeping her coalition partner satisfied and, most importantly, continuing consumer concerns about cost-of-living pressures,” — Smith. Doubts

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• “She has a reputation for trusting her own advice and not building up a strong cadre of loyalists … and not playing the LDP’s social game,” — Tobias Harris

The Guardian