The Intelligence from The Economist Rock and rule: Japan’s first female PM
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Oct 21, 2025 
Noah Snyder, East Asia bureau chief at The Economist, delves into Takaichi Sanae's unexpected rise as Japan’s first female prime minister, highlighting her rock-star persona and alignment with both Abe and Thatcher. He discusses her ambitious policy agenda focused on defense and conservative social stances. Meanwhile, Archie Hall, U economics editor, explores the implications of the US's zero-migration policy, detailing its immediate economic disruptions and longer-term threats to innovation. Both guests provide keen insights into pressing political and economic landscapes.
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Female Leader With Conservative Agenda
- Takaichi Sanae is Japan's first female prime minister but is unlikely to champion feminist policies.
- She combines hawkish security views, fiscal looseness and social conservatism, shifting the LDP rightward.
Rock And Motorbike Origins
- Takaichi rode a motorcycle to university and played drums in a heavy-metal band.
- She also appeared on TV singing and worked briefly as a TV anchor in the 1990s.
Security Push Could Strain Neighbors
- Her foreign-policy tilt emphasizes higher defense spending, cautious US ties, and revisionist views of wartime history.
- That stance risks friction with South Korea and China while seeking more autonomy from the US.