Japan's First Female Prime Minister in History! 64-Year-Old Sanae Takaichi Elected as Japan's Prime Minister; She Advocates for Increasing Defense Spending

According to CCTV News, on October 21, in the first round of voting in the House of Representatives' prime ministerial designation election, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Sanae Takaichi secured a majority of votes and was elected as Japan's 104th Prime Minister.

Takaichi's election also makes her the first female prime minister in Japanese history. She is 64 years old and is one of the representative figures of Japan's right-wing politicians. She advocates for implementing expansionary fiscal policies and increasing defense spending.

Although, according to Japanese law, the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives原则上 enjoy equal powers, the House of Representatives holds priority decision-making power in areas such as legislation and the appointment/dismissal of the prime minister. When the results of the prime ministerial nominations from both houses differ, a conference committee of both houses is convened. If the committee still cannot reach an agreement, according to the provisions of Japan's Constitution, the nomination result of the House of Representatives takes precedence.

On the morning of October 21 local time, the Japanese government held a cabinet meeting, and the Ishiba cabinet resigned collectively.

On the afternoon of October 4 local time, Japan's Liberal Democratic Party held its presidential election. Sanae Takaichi was elected as the new LDP president. Following the election, Japan's current Prime Minister Yoshihisa Ishiba, who had previously announced his resignation as LDP president, spoke to the media at the Prime Minister's Office, expressing his hope that Sanae Takaichi would lead Japan in the right direction. Ishiba also stated that what is needed is unity and tolerance, not conflict and division.

On September 7 local time, Yoshihisa Ishiba held a press conference at the Prime Minister's Office, announcing his decision to resign as LDP president. He stated that, as LDP president, he took responsibility for the party's defeat in the Japanese House of Councillors election held in July of this year.