Young Japanese voters adore their new conservative PM. But that doesn't mean they are shifting to the right | Karin Kaneko

"Japan has rarely seen a prime minister as bold or as social media-savvy as Sanae Takaichi, the country's first female leader. Where previous prime ministers have gone viral for unflattering moments, such as the spectacle of one scoffing an onigiri in one messy gulp or another caught dozing off in the parliament during a key vote, Takaichi is being read by supporters as a symbol of a different era of leadership one they feel Japan has lacked in recent years."

"In January alone, Takaichi's early diplomatic outings have produced the kind of viral imagery Japanese politics rarely generates. A clip of her drumming with South Korean president Lee Jae Myung to global sensation BTS's Dynamite and Golden from Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters spread rapidly online, with some viewers even assuming it was AI-generated. Many expected her to clash with Lee, so the clip helped boost her image as a dependable leader who can navigate through geopolitical challenges."

"But there is a unique paradox at the heart of her appeal, especially among young supporters. Outside Japan, Takaichi is often framed as not particularly feminist with her socially conservative stance including her opposition to legal reforms that would allow married couples to keep separate surnames, and same-sex marriage. Traditionally, these are issues that would be important to a progressive, young population."

Japan's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, combines bold leadership with strong social-media presence and viral diplomatic moments. A clip of her drumming with South Korean president Lee Jae Myung to BTS's 'Dynamite' and 'Golden' spread rapidly online, with some viewers assuming it was AI-generated. The clip bolstered her image as a dependable leader who can handle geopolitical challenges. Her fandom, Sana-katsu, circulates clips and mimics her style down to the same pen. Takaichi holds socially conservative positions, opposing separate surnames for married couples and same-sex marriage. A mid-December Sankei Shimbun/FNN poll showed 92% approval among 18- to 29-year-olds.

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