Japan is on the brink of making history by possibly appointing its first female prime minister ahead of the United States. Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi has emerged as one of the frontrunners in Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership race, with the vote set for September 27. If successful, Takaichi would break a significant gender barrier in a country that has yet to see a female leader at its helm.
Takaichi, a hard-line conservative and supporter of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s policies, is running against several male contenders, including Shinjiro Koizumi and Shigeru Ishiba. While she has gained support from the party’s right wing, some question her commitment to advancing women’s rights in a nation that ranks low globally on gender equality.
While the race remains unpredictable, a victory for Takaichi would represent a major shift in Japan’s political landscape.
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