Vietnam PM congratulates Japan’s first female PM Sanae Takaichi

PM Chinh sent the message on Tuesday, shortly after the Japanese parliament officially approved Takaichi’s appointment, making her the first woman to hold the post in the country’s history, according to Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

With 237 votes in the House of Representatives and a similar result in the House of Councilors, Takaichi secured the premiership following a coalition agreement between her LDP and the Japan Innovation Party.

An admirer of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and a close protégé of late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi is expected to revive Japan’s economy through Abe-style stimulus measures while promoting sustainable growth.

Her victory also marks a major step forward for gender equality, breaking political barriers that Japanese women have faced for decades.

Observers say her rise to power not only carries historic significance in terms of gender but also reflects Japan’s democratic stability and determination to pursue reforms in response to social and economic challenges.

According to the Vietnam News Agency, Japanese government sources said Prime Minister Takaichi is arranging to attend meetings within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit later this week.

The events will mark her first appearance on the regional stage as Japan’s first female leader.

She is expected to hold bilateral meetings with Malaysian Prime Minister and the rotating ASEAN Chair Anwar Ibrahim, as well as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

On the multilateral front, she plans to participate in the Japan–ASEAN Summit and the Asia Zero Emission Community Summit, a Japan-led initiative promoting carbon-free cooperation.

Japan attaches great importance to its relations with Southeast Asian nations, which are home to key maritime routes and strong economic growth.

Amid growing regional security uncertainties, Tokyo aims to work with ASEAN countries to promote a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Born and raised in Nara Prefecture, Takaichi, 64, entered politics in 1993 and has been elected to Japan’s House of Representatives for eight consecutive times.

She first served as a cabinet minister in 2006, after Abe was elected prime minister for the first time.