Career Timeline of Sanae Takaichi: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Sanae Takaichi, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Sanae Takaichi is a prominent Japanese politician currently serving as president of the Liberal Democratic Party since October 2025. She has been a member of the House of Representatives since 1993 (with a break between 2003 and 2005), representing Nara Prefecture. Throughout her career, she has held significant ministerial positions under Prime Ministers Shinzo Abe and Fumio Kishida. Notably, she is a potential candidate to become Japan's first female prime minister if elected by the National Diet, which would also make her the first prime minister hailing from Nara Prefecture.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1987: Moved to the United States

In 1987, with sponsorship from the Matsushita Institute, Takaichi moved to the United States to work for Democratic congresswoman Pat Schroeder as a congressional fellow.

March 1989: TV Asahi Anchor

In March 1989, Takaichi became a TV Asahi anchor, co-hosting the station's "Kodawari TV Pre-Stage" programme with Renhō.

1993: Elected to House of Representatives

In 1993, Sanae Takaichi was elected as a member of the House of Representatives.

1996: Joined the Liberal Democratic Party

In 1996, Takaichi joined the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

1996: Re-elected to the House of Representatives and Joined LDP

In 1996, Takaichi ran as a sanctioned candidate from the New Frontier Party and was re-elected to the House of Representatives. On 5 November, she joined the LDP, resulting in heavy criticism from New Frontier Party members.

2000: Won Third Term in House of Representatives

In the 2000 House of Representatives election, Takaichi was placed in the first position on the LDP's proportional representation list and easily won her third term.

2002: Appointed Senior Vice Minister

In 2002, Takaichi was appointed as the Senior Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry under Junichiro Koizumi.

2003: Defeated in Election

In the 2003 Japanese general election, Takaichi was defeated in the Nara 1st district by Democratic Party lawmaker Sumio Mabuchi.

2003: End of First Term in House of Representatives

Sanae Takaichi's term as a member of the House of Representatives, which started in 1993, ended in 2003.

2004: Economics Faculty Position

In 2004, while out of the Diet, Takaichi took an economics faculty position at Kinki University.

2005: Re-elected to House of Representatives

In 2005, Sanae Takaichi was re-elected as a member of the House of Representatives.

2005: Won Seat Representing Nara 2nd District

In the 2005 Japanese general election, Takaichi won a seat representing the Nara 2nd district after moving to Ikoma.

2008: Statement on U.S.-Japan SOFA Protests

In 2008, Takaichi published a statement on protests calling for revision of the U.S.–Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), following the arrest of a US marine in Okinawa on suspicion of child rape. Takaichi argued against changing the SOFA.

2012: Appointed Head of Policy Research Council

After the LDP's victory in the 2012 Japanese general election, Takaichi was appointed to head the party's Policy Research Council (自由民主党政務調査会長).

January 2013: Recommended "Abe Statement"

In January 2013, Takaichi recommended that Abe issue an "Abe Statement" to replace the Murayama Statement.

September 2014: Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications

On 3 September 2014, Takaichi was selected as Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications to replace Yoshitaka Shindō.

December 2014: Won Election with Large Majority

In the December 2014 general election, Takaichi won an overwhelming 96,000-vote majority in her district.

February 2016: Commented on Suspending Broadcasters

In February 2016, Takaichi commented that the government could suspend the operations of broadcasters that aired politically biased content, leading to concerns about government pressure against media.

August 2017: Replaced as Minister of Internal Affairs

On 3 August 2017, Takaichi was replaced by Seiko Noda as Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications.

September 2019: Returned to Internal Affairs Post

On 11 September 2019, Takaichi returned to the Internal Affairs and Communications post, replacing Masatoshi Ishida. She put pressure on NHK to cut its licence fee and oversaw the distribution of cash handouts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

August 2021: Expressed Willingness to Challenge Suga

In August 2021, Takaichi expressed her willingness to challenge incumbent Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga for the presidency of the LDP in the scheduled election on 29 September.

September 2021: Advocated for Tax Increases on Corporations

In September 2021, Takaichi advocated for tax increases on corporations and estimated that "a 1% tax on corporate cash deposits would increase tax revenue by 2 trillion yen. Even if companies with capital of 100 million yen or less are excluded, tax revenue would increase by 1 trillion yen."

2021: "Plan to Strengthen the Japanese Economy"

During her 2021 run for LDP leader, she put forward a three-pronged "Plan to Strengthen the Japanese Economy", also known as "New Abenomics" or "Sanaenomics".

2021: Hawkish Stance on China in LDP Leadership Election

During the 2021 Liberal Democratic Party leadership election, in which she placed third, Takaichi's stance on China was the most hawkish of any candidate.

2021: Advocating Constitutional Revision and Increased Defense Spending

In 2021, Takaichi advocated revising the constitution to reposition the Self-Defense Forces as a "National Army", and increasing defense spending to promote the procurement of advanced equipment and research and development.

2021: Candidate in LDP Leadership Election

In 2021, Takaichi was a candidate in the LDP leadership election but was eliminated before the runoff, placing third.

March 2022: Comments on Ukraine and Regional Security

In March 2022, Takaichi said that "Ukraine is not a distant issue", pointing to Russian military bases in the Kuril Islands, as well as China.

2022: Minister of State for Economic Security

From 2022 to 2024, during Fumio Kishida's premiership, Takaichi served as Minister of State for Economic Security.

September 2024: Vied to succeed Kishida as LDP president

In September 2024, Takaichi vied to succeed Kishida as LDP president in the leadership election. Ultimately, she came first in the first round, but was defeated by Ishiba in the runoff. Ishiba offered Takaichi the post of chairman of the LDP General Council; she declined the offer.

2024: Second Run for Party Leadership

In 2024, Takaichi made her second run for the party leadership, where she came in first in the first round but narrowly lost in a runoff to Shigeru Ishiba.

April 2025: Visit to Taiwan and Meeting with President Lai Ching-te

In April 2025, Takaichi visited Taiwan and met with President Lai Ching-te, reiterating Shinzo Abe's statement that a "Taiwan emergency is a Japan emergency."

September 2025: Candidacy for LDP President

On 18 September 2025, Following Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's resignation, Takaichi announced her candidacy for LDP president in the resulting leadership election. Takaichi softened her political message during the election campaign, declaring herself a "moderate conservative".

2025: Hard-Line Stance on Immigration

During her 2025 LDP leadership campaign, Takaichi took a "hard-line stance" on immigration, with "tighter restrictions on immigration" and employed "anti-immigration rhetoric".

2025: President of the Liberal Democratic Party

In 2025, Sanae Takaichi became the President of the Liberal Democratic Party, becoming the first woman to hold the position. She also became the Prime Minister-designate of Japan.

2025: Becomes Party President and Prime Minister

In 2025, Takaichi ran again and placed first in both rounds of voting, becoming party president and defeating Shinjirō Koizumi. After securing a coalition agreement with Ishin, Takaichi was elected prime minister by the National Diet on 21 October, becoming the country's first female prime minister.

2025: Support for Revising Article Nine

In 2025, Takaichi, like all other candidates in the LDP leadership election, supported revising article nine of the Japanese constitution to include mention of the Japan Self-Defence Forces.

2025: Favors proactive government spending

Takaichi is known for favouring proactive government spending. During the 2025 LDP leadership election, she said she would consider paying for an economic stimulus plan by issuing bonds to service the national debt.