Japan’s parliament is prepared to elect Sanae Takaichi as prime minister on Tuesday, installing the country’s first female leader after her party, which had been beset by electoral weakness, struck a coalition deal with a new partner that observers say will push the governing bloc further to the right. The move caps a rapid political realignment that could reshape policy priorities in Tokyo, from social conservatism to security posture, at a moment of intensified international tensions.

Takaichi has been characterized as ultraconservative, and the coalition agreement reflects a willingness by her team to trade policy concessions for the durability of power. The new arrangement comes after a difficult stretch for her party, which had struggled electorally and was seeking allies to secure a parliamentary majority and ensure stable governance. The partner that joined the governing bloc was not named in early reports, but the alliance is expected to influence legislative agendas and cabinet composition once the parliamentary vote concludes.

The symbolism of Japan’s first woman prime minister will be felt domestically and abroad. For many in Japan, the milestone represents a long-awaited break with entrenched gender norms in a country where female political representation has lagged behind peers. At the same time, Takaichi’s ultraconservative orientation complicates the narrative of progress: her leadership promises to combine historic representation with policy shifts that may emphasize traditional social values and a more assertive posture on national security.

That security dimension takes on added weight against the broader backdrop of global conflict. With wars in the Middle East and Ukraine reshaping strategic calculations worldwide, Tokyo’s domestic political turn could have immediate implications for alliance coordination, defense spending, and regional diplomacy. A governing bloc moving rightward may accelerate debates over constitutional revision, collective self-defense, and closer integration with partners on deterrence—issues that have long been contentious within Japan’s domestic politics and that carry consequences for relations with neighbors such as China and South Korea.

Economically and diplomatically, the new government will face the task of balancing nationalist impulses with the practical demands of global interdependence. Japan remains deeply integrated into international supply chains, dependent on stable diplomatic ties and favorable trade conditions. A more conservative policy mix risks provoking friction with key partners while also seeking to reassure domestic constituencies concerned about security and cultural identity.

As parliament prepares to formalize Takaichi’s premiership, attention will focus on the concrete terms of the coalition deal and the first policy moves from a cabinet expected to reflect the accord’s priorities. The coming weeks will test whether the new leadership can translate a historic personal milestone into durable governance that navigates competing pressures at home and abroad, or whether the rightward shift will deepen political polarization and complicate Japan’s role on the global stage.