Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Sanae Takaichi

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Sanae Takaichi.

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

December 1937: Reference to Nanjing Massacre

In 2004, Takaichi wrote that textbooks exaggerated the Nanjing Massacre's death toll beyond the population of Nanjing in December 1937.

1994: Promotion of Controversial Book

In 1994, Takaichi was shown promoting a controversial book praising Adolf Hitler's electoral talents.

1994: Hitler's Election Strategy book was published

In 1994, the book "Hitler's Election Strategy" was published, which Takaichi later endorsed in 2014.

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.

August 2002: Comments on Japan's War Aims

In August 2002, during a television program appearance, Takaichi stated that she believed Japan's war after the Manchurian Incident was a war for security.

2004: Column on Japanese History Textbook Controversies

In 2004, Takaichi wrote a column on her website regarding the Japanese history textbook controversies, defending comments that textbooks were "extremely self-deprecating" and should decrease usage of terms including "comfort women" and "forced labor".

August 2007: Visited Yasukuni Shrine

In August 2007, Takaichi was the only Abe cabinet member to join former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in visiting Yasukuni Shrine on the anniversary of the end of World War II.

2014: Controversial Associations and Endorsements

In 2014, Takaichi hosted office visits for far-right extremists. Also in 2014, a photo surfaced of Takaichi pictured for an advertisement in a Tokyo magazine endorsing a 1994 book titled Hitler's Election Strategy.

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.

2016: Attended Yasukuni Shrine's Autumn Festival

In 2016, Takaichi became the first sitting cabinet member to attend the Yasukuni Shrine's autumn festival.

August 2020: Visited Yasukuni Shrine

In August 2020, Takaichi was one of four cabinet ministers who visited Yasukuni on the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.

December 2020: Views on Family Names Legislation

In December 2020, Takaichi stated that proposed legislation to recognize separate family names for married couples could "destroy the social structure based on family units".

2021: Position on Yasukuni Shrine Visits in LDP Leadership Race

In the 2021 LDP leadership race, Takaichi said she would continue to visit Yasukuni Shrine if elected Prime Minister.

2022: Controversial Remarks on Yasukuni Shrine Issue

In 2022, Takaichi made remarks about the Yasukuni Shrine issue that were controversial in South Korea. She used derogatory language, saying continuing to visit the shrine would eventually make "neighbouring countries...look foolish and stop complaining".

March 2023: Controversy over Government Document

In March 2023, Hiroyuki Konishi claimed to have a government document indicating interference with broadcasting freedom during Takaichi's time as Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications. The Internal Affairs ministry confirmed the document's authenticity, but Takaichi maintained that the remarks attributed to her were fabricated.

August 2024: Visits to Yasukuni Shrine as Minister of State

In August 2024, Takaichi visited Yasukuni Shrine, signing as minister of state.

August 2025: Visit to Yasukuni Shrine on Anniversary of Japan's Surrender

In August 2025, Takaichi visited Yasukuni Shrine on the 80th anniversary of the surrender of Japan.

September 2025: Criticism for Claims About Foreigners and Deer in Nara Park

In September 2025, Takaichi was criticized for claiming that foreigners had kicked deer in Nara Park based on videos circulated on social media.

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".