President offered words of praise for Sanae Takaichi — Japan’s inaugural female prime minister — upon his arrival in Japan on Monday. Takaichi’s background combines her strong conservative principles with a rock-and-roll edge, drawing inspiration from former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Takaichi, 64, assumed office earlier this month following the resignation of former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, after the Liberal Democratic Party lost its upper-house majority in July.
Known for her firm positions on defense and social matters, Trump’s visit represents her initial significant diplomatic challenge. The two leaders are set to discuss regional security, trade, and Japan’s defense spending — areas where their perspectives largely coincide.
“She’s a hawk on , and that’s precisely what is required now,” stated Gordon Chang, an author and Asia analyst, during an interview with Digital. “That will not displease President Trump — in fact, it will aid him in his discussions with Xi Jinping because he can assert, ‘Observe, the alliances are robust and growing stronger.’”
Chang noted that the meeting occurs at a crucial juncture for regional stability.
“America’s alliance with South Korea is at risk because Lee Jae-myung … holds very pro-China and very anti-American sentiments,” he added. “This makes it even more imperative that our relationship with Japan solidifies — which it will under Takaichi. Things were progressing very well with Japan, and I anticipate that Takaichi will continue Japanese policies, so this will be significant.”
Takaichi’s ascent is remarkable within a party historically dominated by political dynasties. Born in Nara Prefecture to a police officer mother and a father employed by a car company affiliated with Toyota, she frequently characterizes herself as an outsider in Japan’s elite political sphere.
Before entering politics, she channeled her energy into music — playing drums in a heavy metal band during her youth, performing tracks by Deep Purple and Black Sabbath. She reportedly still keeps an electronic drum kit in her Tokyo residence and plays with headphones to decompress after work. Takaichi was also recognized in her younger years as a keen motorcycle rider.
In prior remarks, Takaichi expressed admiration for Thatcher’s “strong character and convictions” and recounted meeting the former British leader at a symposium shortly before.
The fusion of a conservative politician with a rock-and-roll past — Japan’s first female prime minister, once behind a drum kit and on a motorbike — has helped forge her public image as both disciplined and unconventional.
Takaichi is widely regarded as an ideological successor to the late Prime Minister, aligning with his drive to revise Japan’s pacifist constitution and enhance the nation’s defense capabilities. Her economic policy largely continues Abe’s “Abenomics,” emphasizing fiscal expansion and monetary easing — a contrast to Thatcher-style austerity. Yet her assertive demeanor and ideological rigor echo the British prime minister she reveres.
Domestically, Takaichi holds staunchly traditional views. She opposes same-sex marriage, rejects allowing separate surnames for married couples, and supports the imperial family’s male-only succession, according to The Associated Press.
The two leaders are slated to meet later tonight in Tokyo.