Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi named “The most powerful woman in the world” by The Economist

Originally reported by: Sankei Shinbun (by Kyohei Fujiki)

The Economist magazine featured an illustration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (president of the Liberal Democratic Party) in its latest issue, which was published on the 13th. The headline describes her as “the most powerful woman in the world.”

Founded in London in 1843, The Economist is a prestigious weekly magazine with a long history. It is widely respected both in Japan and abroad for its original analysis of international politics and economics.

The article and illustration in the latest issue were published in response to the Liberal Democratic Party’s landslide victory in the House of Representatives election held on the 8th. The illustration depicts Ms Takaichi wearing a blue jacket, smiling, and raising her right hand, with Mount Fuji in the background.

In the article, The Economist states that, following the LDP’s overwhelming victory, Ms Takaichi has “a historic opportunity to transform Japan,” adding that “this opportunity must not be wasted.” It argues that she must “think on a larger scale and with a broader perspective,” and confront Japan’s long-term demographic and economic challenges head-on. The piece also touches on expectations for strengthening defence capabilities, the importance of the Japan–US alliance, and the challenges of reforming the social security system.

Regarding the electoral landslide, the magazine analyses that voters responded to a message that addressed both their desire for security and their appetite for change. It concludes that Ms Takaichi presented “a hard-edged realism suited to a harsh era.