高市早苗，日本首位女首相

Core Points - On October 21, 2023, Japanese Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Sanae Takaichi won the prime ministerial election, becoming Japan's first female prime minister [1] Group 1: Political Journey - Takaichi's path to premiership was complicated by the breakup of the ruling coalition and opposition party alliances, which transformed the election from a formality into a competitive race [2] - The LDP's coalition partner, Komeito, announced its withdrawal from the alliance due to significant policy differences, leading to a surge in competition from opposition parties [2] - Despite the challenges, Takaichi leveraged the LDP's deep-rooted presence and the disunity within the opposition to secure her position [2] Group 2: Political Background - Born in 1961, Takaichi has a conservative political stance and is often referred to as the "female version of Abe" due to her close ties with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe [3] - She has held significant positions in the government, including Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, and has been known for her right-wing policies, including visits to the Yasukuni Shrine [3][4] - Takaichi advocates for a substantial increase in defense spending and the expansion of Japan's military role, moving away from a purely defensive posture [4] Group 3: Challenges Ahead - Takaichi faces multiple challenges, including the impact of the coalition breakup, insufficient seats in the Diet, and internal party dissent, which may hinder her governance [5][6] - The economic landscape presents a significant challenge, with rising inflation, currency fluctuations, and increasing living costs, which could affect her administration's stability [6] - Takaichi's upcoming meeting with U.S. President Trump will be a critical test of her political and diplomatic skills [6]