Japan stands at a historic crossroads. For the first time in its post-war history, the country is poised to have a woman at the helm of government. Sanae Takaichi’s rise to the leadership of the ruling party marks a milestone that many thought would take much longer in a society known for its entrenched gender hierarchies. Yet, behind the symbolism lies a far more complex reality ~ one that could reshape both the country’s domestic politics and its international posture in unpredictable ways. Ms Takaichi is no political newcomer. A seasoned minister, media personality, and stalwart of her party’s hard-line faction, she has built her career on a blend of ideological conviction and political theatre. She has long admired Margaret Thatcher and styled herself after the British “Iron Lady,” though her economic views differ significantly. Rather than embracing austerity and market liberalisation, she has promised a return to Abenomics – a........

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