Japan’s parliament confirms hardliner Takaichi as country’s first female PM

Sanae Takaichi, the country’s first female prime minister, has been chosen by the country’s parliament, which is ultraconservative.

In the 465-member lower house of parliament on Tuesday, Takaichi received 237 votes to confirm her as protege of murdered former prime minister Shinzo Abe.

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Her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the right-wing Japan Innovation Party (JIP), also known as Ishin, made a last-minute coalition agreement on Monday. Her government is still two seats away from a majority, which raises the possibility of instability.

Shigeru Ishiba is replaced by Takaichi, putting an end to a three-month political squabble and conflict since the LDP, which has ruled Japan for the majority of its post-war history, lost a disastrous election loss in July.

Her victory is pivotal for a nation where men still have the upper hand. There is little hope that it will encourage gender equality or diversity, despite the fact that it is likely to usher in a sharper rightward trend on social and immigration issues.

Takaichi has slammed advancement initiatives against women. She opposes same-sex unions and the establishment’s plan to separate married couples’ surnames. She also opposes the imperial family’s male-only succession.

Prior to this, the LDP had previously lost its steadfast partner, the center- and dovish-backed Komeito, which was supported by Buddhism.

Komeito called for the LDP to step up and end the partnership because it was concerned about corruption.

At the signing ceremony, Takaichi joined the JIP leader and Osaka governor Hirofumi Yoshimura and stated that “political stability is essential at this time.” We can’t push policies for a strong economy or diplomacy without stability.

Yoshimura stated that JIP will not fill ministerial positions in Takaichi’s cabinet until his party is confident in its agreement with the LDP.

Japan is now dealing with rising prices, which has sparked public outcry and increased support for far-right activists, among others.

Takaichi is expected to favor government spending in order to revive the country’s weakened economy, similar to Abe. The Nikkei share average reached record highs on Tuesday, the most recent of which was caused by a so-called “Takaichi trade” in the stock market.

Investors have also been uneasy about the government’s ability to finance additional spending in a nation where annual output far exceeds the debt load.

The less powerful upper house also approved Takaichi’s elevation to prime minister shortly after the lower house vote. On Tuesday night, she will take the 104th prime minister’s oath of office.