Sanae Takaichi has served in the House of Representatives almost continuously since 1993, representing the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). After early stints as an independent, she joined the LDP in 1996 and rose through its ranks, holding several cabinet posts under Prime Ministers Shinzo Abe and Fumio Kishida.

In 2025 she won the LDP leadership contest, positioning herself to become Japan’s first female prime.

Takaichi has repeatedly invoked Margaret Thatcher as a personal role model, describing herself as Japan’s “Iron Lady” and citing Thatcher’s strong‑hand approach as inspiration for a “strong and prosperous” Japan.

Political analysts place Takaichi on the right‑wing side of the LDP, and several reputable sources describe her as “far‑right” or “ultraconservative.” Deutsche Welle, the South China Morning Post, and Time magazine have all characterized her as far‑right, noting her frequent visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, her revisionist stance on Japan’s wartime history, and her advocacy for stricter penalties against critics of the government. She also promotes socially conservative policies such as opposing separate surnames for married couples and rejecting female succession to the imperial throne.

The Yasukuni Shrine honors Japan’s war dead, including convicted war criminals from World War II. Its Shinto rites celebrate militaristic sacrifice, and official visits by politicians are viewed by China, South Korea and others as denial of wartime aggression