Japan's potential new leader has a unique stress-reliever: heavy metal drumming!
In the bustling city of Tokyo, a story unfolds that challenges traditional expectations. Meet Sanae Takaichi, a 64-year-old politician with a passion for heavy metal music that has remained constant throughout her life. From her days in a college band to her current position as a prominent lawmaker, Takaichi's love for bands like Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden is unwavering.
But here's where it gets controversial... Unlike most fans who grow out of their wild side as they age, Takaichi still rocks out on her electric drum set at home whenever stress strikes, often triggered by her husband's actions. In a recent interview, she humorously shared, "I play after he goes to sleep." This energetic approach to life has undoubtedly influenced her political journey, which has been steady yet unconventional.
Takaichi's conservative beliefs, rooted in nationalist and traditionalist ideals, have propelled her to the forefront of Japan's political scene. Her recent victory as the first woman to become the ruling party's president is a surprising triumph in a deeply patriarchal system. It sends a powerful message to disillusioned voters that traditional conservatism is not only alive but thriving.
As a prominent member of the ultranationalist lobby group Nippon Kaigi, Takaichi advocates for a patriotic education system. She also supports revising Japan's pacifist constitution, particularly Article 9, which renounces war and bans military forces. This stance has sparked debates and raised questions about Japan's future direction.
But Takaichi's background is far from that of a typical politician. Born to a car company worker father and a police officer mother in Nara prefecture, she didn't come from a political dynasty. Before entering politics, she even interned for a US Democratic congresswoman and worked as a TV commentator, presenting herself in a lively and unconventional manner that stood out from the usual older male commentators.
However, upon becoming a lawmaker in 1993, Takaichi made a sacrifice - she gave up her beloved Kawasaki Z400GP motorcycle, reportedly to avoid accidents that could hinder her work. This decision showcases her dedication to her political career and the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field.
Takaichi's political journey has been marked by determination and resilience. She has been re-elected nine times since joining the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in 1996, holding multiple cabinet posts and chairing the party's Policy Research Council. Her most recent role was as minister of economic security under the administration of Fumio Kishida.
And this is the part most people miss... Takaichi's personal life has also been a topic of interest. She married a fellow LDP lawmaker in 2004, agreeing to the union without ever going on a date. Her husband proposed over the phone, revealing that he had been eyeing her for some time. Despite their unconventional courtship, Takaichi describes her husband as a catch - a trained chef who promised her a life of good food. "He told me, 'You'll never go a day without eating good food.' So, I just took the plunge," she laughed.
As Japan's next potential prime minister, Takaichi faces immediate challenges, including the country's declining birth rate and a shrinking workforce burdened with supporting an aging population. Record-high inflation and a weak yen are also squeezing households and driving up living costs.
Takaichi's economic policies, dubbed "Sanaenomics," echo those of her mentor, Shinzo Abe. She has proposed large-scale spending and low inflation, but this approach has raised concerns among experts and ordinary citizens alike. Some worry that it could further weaken the yen and increase Japan's debt levels, adding to the struggles of people already facing rising prices.
Her stance on trade relations with the US is also a point of interest. Takaichi has expressed reservations about a $550 billion Japan-to-US investment deal announced in September, suggesting she might revisit it. This deal targets sectors like semiconductors, energy, pharmaceuticals, and shipbuilding, while Japan also purchases $8 billion annually in US agricultural products. In return, the US has reduced tariffs on Japanese goods, including cars, to a baseline of 15%.
With the details of this investment deal still unclear and given President Donald Trump's unpredictable nature, Takaichi appears to be adopting a wait-and-see approach. Her first test with Washington could come soon if she manages to form a coalition and Trump's schedule allows for a meeting around the ASEAN summit in late October.
Comparisons between Takaichi and Trump are already being drawn, given their shared conservative ideologies. As a protégé of Abe, who had a close rapport with Trump, Takaichi is expected to follow her mentor's diplomatic playbook. Like Abe, she has called for significant increases in Japan's defense budget, a move likely to be welcomed by the Trump administration.
However, Takaichi's leadership will be tested on the geopolitical stage. Known for her hardline stance on China, she has previously suggested that Chinese residents in Japan have a "duty to aid Chinese espionage." She has also argued that Japanese war crimes have been exaggerated and regularly visits the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, where Japan's war dead, including convicted war criminals, are enshrined. These actions could potentially cause friction with Beijing, Japan's top trading partner.
Yet analysts predict that Takaichi's stance on the Yasukuni Shrine will soften once in office. They believe she will adopt a more practical diplomatic approach, toning down her anti-China rhetoric.
Indeed, signs of moderation have already emerged. Takaichi has stated that she won't visit the Yasukuni Shrine during its autumn festival, likely to reassure uneasy coalition partners.
Takaichi's election may also impact the rise of Sanseito, a right-wing populist party that gained traction in July on an anti-immigration platform. During the LDP leadership race, all candidates promised tougher measures on foreigners, but Takaichi's rhetoric stood out, vowing to crack down on rule-breaking visitors and immigrants. Her comments about tourists allegedly kicking sacred deer in her hometown of Nara drew criticism, but she clarified that she aimed to highlight the growing anxiety and anger among many Japanese about "outrageous" foreigners.
At home, Takaichi faces the challenge of rebuilding public trust after years of scandals within her party. Revelations about some LDP lawmakers' ties to the Unification Church in 2022 and accusations of income irregularities in 2023 have damaged the party's reputation and deepened public frustration.
Takaichi's record on women's rights is also a point of contention. She opposes allowing married women to keep separate surnames and resists female succession in the imperial family. However, during her 2025 campaign, she proposed tax breaks for babysitting and corporate incentives for in-house childcare, suggesting a cautious shift towards more women-friendly policies.
Takaichi's rise has undoubtedly shaken up Japan's political landscape. As the country's potential first woman prime minister, she is steering the LDP back towards its conservative roots after years of centrist leadership. The question remains: Will Takaichi's election revive the party's fortunes or accelerate its decline?
