Japan’s LDP and Ishin Form Coalition, Paving Way for First Female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi

Japan is on the verge of a historic political shift as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin) move toward forming a coalition government, according to Kyodo News. The alliance sets the stage for Sanae Takaichi, leader of the conservative LDP, to become Japan’s first female prime minister. She and Ishin leader Hirofumi Yoshimura are expected to officially sign their coalition agreement on Monday.

While the partnership marks a new chapter in Japan’s politics, analysts note it may lack the stability of previous coalitions. Ishin co-head Fumitake Fujita signaled optimism on Friday, saying talks between the two parties had made “big progress.” Ishin lawmakers are set to support Takaichi in Tuesday’s parliamentary vote for prime minister but will initially refrain from joining her cabinet. This limited partnership contrasts with the long-standing alliance between the LDP and Komeito, which ended this month after 26 years, raising questions about the new government’s durability.

The LDP reportedly offered to pursue policies appealing to Ishin, including banning corporate and organizational donations and exempting food from Japan’s sales tax. Ishin has pushed for a two-year suspension of the food tax to ease consumer burdens amid rising inflation.

Takaichi, known for her fiscal dovish stance, supports higher government spending and tax cuts to support households and has criticized the Bank of Japan’s recent interest rate hike. She also advocates revising Japan’s pacifist constitution to acknowledge the growing role of its military. A frequent visitor to the Yasukuni Shrine, Takaichi remains a polarizing figure domestically and internationally, symbolizing Japan’s complex relationship with its wartime past.