Hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi elected Japan’s first female leader

CNN via Yahoo ^ | October 21st, 2025 | Jessie Yeung, Hanako Montgomery, CNN

[Mariner]

Staunch conservative Sanae Takaichi was elected Japan’s first female prime minister by parliament on Tuesday, in a landmark moment for the historically patriarchal country where both politics and workplaces are dominated by older men.

Takaichi steps into the role as Japan faces mounting economic woes and a fractured politics, and just days before US President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit.

The 64-year old Takaichi, who is a heavy metal drummer and motorcycle enthusiast, grew up in Nara near Osaka. Her arrival at the pinnacle of Japanese politics tops a remarkable rise, from TV presenter to flag bearer of traditional and nationalist ideals.

[Mariner]

MJGA

Deep down inside, emblazoned on their DNA, the Chinese fear Japan.

For good reason. They are the 4th best Navy in the world and now will start the process of growing that strength.

[epluribus_2]

and engineers, scientists, etc. grew up watching scifi moviesan games where patriots with amazing technology, air, sea, and space defend the nation from monsters, aliens, and other enemies. IMHO they have several workable plans to stop Chinese agression if imminent. And the PRC/PLA know it.

[Magnum44]

Not necessarily hot, but Laz would probably hit it.

[lee martell]

Omedetou Gozaimasu!
(congratulations to the Lady on her promotion)

let me know if that’s the incorrect phrase.
I know Japanese is a very precise language, which depends on who is addressing whom.

[Red Badger]

And they have nukes.

They just won’t admit it...............

[tet68]

Isn’t it amazing how leftists are never labeled “hard line”!!!

[Red Badger]

Looks Greek to me...................

[fidelis]

I know Japanese is a very precise language, which depends on who is addressing whom.

Most Asian languages are like that, which adds to the difficulty in learning them but, IMHO, adds to their charm.

[Eccl 10:2]

LOL. CNN: “Hardline”...”Staunch conservative”....

She probably makes Mitt Romney look like Rush Limbaugh.

[real saxophonist]

She is a protégé of Shinzo Abe, which makes her good to go in my book.

[lee martell]

Ha-ha!
Maybe I should see if Obama’s (Fake) Sign Language Guy is available from that little town in Kenya.
At Nelson Mandala’s memorial service.

[dagunk]

Pros:
Heavy-metal drummer
Motorcycles

Cons:
TV presenter

[Mariner]

If they don’t have one now, they could probably put together a dozen DELIVERABLE nukes in 48-72 hours.

Plutonium. The good stuff. Virtually undetectable unless you’re within 50 yards.

They have F-15s and F-35s. Aegis on their ships. And recently Tomahawk missiles.

[real saxophonist]

And the JDSF Band can do stuff like this.

[rktman]

Probably? To the beat of a different drum!

[DPMD]

It’s hardline, staunch, heavy metal drummer (implying dalliance w/drugs) today. Tomorrow it’s “nazi,” “Asian Hitler,” “Putin doxy,” etc...

[libertylover]

Staunch conservative Sanae Takaichi

It's probably a good thing when CNN labels someone this way.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

[ebshumidors]

We used to say they had Friday nukes. If they need one, it’ll be ready by Friday.

[Vigilanteman]

Just fine. Tho some purists might quibble over Omedetou versus Omedeto with the final "o" with a long mark over the vowel.

Japanese can be very precise and it can also be very vague, depending on the situation. Two of my daughters are native level fluent. The other (and Dad) are just fluent for a gaijin.