From Iron Maiden to the Iron Lady: Japan’s first female prime minister

This Is Why

Sky News

News Commentary, Daily News, News

4.0 • 552 Ratings

🗓️ 24 October 2025

⏱️ 21 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

A former television presenter and heavy metal drummer has become the first woman to be elected prime minister of Japan. Sanae Takaichi is known for her right-wing views and cites Margaret Thatcher as an inspiration. But it's not just her political beliefs that are controversial – Ms Takaichi has a love of hard rock and motorbikes, despite her deeply conservative background. Why has it taken so long for Japan to elect a female PM? And what challenges does she face domestically, as well as on the world stage? Niall is joined by Dr Kristin Surak, associate professor of political sociology at the London School of Economics and a leading expert on Japanese politics. Producers: Natalie Ktena and Tom Gillespie Editor: Mike Bovill

Transcript

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