5 things to know about Sanae Takaichi, Japan's first female prime minister

"Japan's first-ever female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is an ultraconservative with a traditional view of gender roles and a penchant for heavy metal music. Japan's parliament elected Takaichi on Tuesday, several weeks after she was chosen to lead the conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has spent much of the last seven decades in power. The LDP is seen as shifting further to the right:"

"Takaichi, 64, is "one of the most conservative people in Japan's conservative LDP," explains Jeffrey Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies in Japan. She has advocated for tougher immigration restrictions and embraced hawkish policies on China. She has drawn comparisons to the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, for whom she has frequently expressed her admiration and often wears blue suits in tribute."

"But she also played drums in a band in college, cites Deep Purple and Iron Maiden as some of her favorite bands, once belted a rock anthem on national TV and appears to maintain a strong affinity for motorcycles and cars. "Those are part of the character that is promoted by her, that [she is] more than just the strong Iron Lady, but also somebody who can have some fun," Hall says."

Japan's parliament elected Sanae Takaichi as prime minister after she was chosen to lead the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The LDP formed an alliance with a right-wing populist party to secure her election, reflecting a shift further to the right. Takaichi is described as ultraconservative, advocating tougher immigration restrictions and hawkish policies on China. She frequently expresses admiration for Margaret Thatcher and often wears blue suits in tribute. Takaichi maintains an affinity for heavy metal music, played drums in college, and enjoys motorcycles and cars. She was born and raised in Nara to parents who worked in the automotive industry and local police.

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