Sanae Takaichi wins the LDP leadership: Japan’s biggest political shake-up in 26 years and a return to a hard-line foreign policy in Tokyo

On October 4, 2025, Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) held snap elections for its party president, with Sanae Takaichi— the primary successor to Shinzo Abe’s legacy and leader of the party’s most right-wing faction—emerging victorious.

Her candidacy was subsequently nominated for the position of Prime Minister, and, pending a successful parliamentary vote expected on October 20, she would become the first woman in Japan’s history to hold this office.

The announcement of the election results had an immediate impact on Japan’s political and economic indicators. Notably, the LDP’s approval ratings surged by 10.3%, boosting market optimism and causing the Nikkei 225 index to jump by a record 4.75%.