Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi Sees Surging Youth Support as LDP Popularity Remains Stalled

High playback rate of “Takaichi videos” spread on SNS and other social networking sites

Sanae Takaichi (64), the first female prime minister in Japan’s constitutional history, has made a strong start.

A public opinion poll released by JNN on November 2 revealed that the approval rating for the Takaichi Cabinet has reached 82.0%. Among the 12 administrations since 2001, this is the second-highest approval rating for a newly launched cabinet, following that of the Junichiro Koizumi administration.

According to Asahi Shimbun, approval ratings by gender are 73% for men and 63% for women. Approval among those in their 30s reaches 86%, while those aged 70 and above show 54%.

On October 28, Prime Minister Takaichi visited the U.S. Yokosuka Naval Base with visiting U.S. President Donald Trump (79), showing high-spirited excitement. Introducing her to U.S. service members, Trump said:

“She’s a winner.”

“The first female prime minister in Japan.”

In response, Takaichi raised her arm with a big smile and bounced in place.

She remained physically close to President Trump throughout, almost like a couple. It may have been part of a strategy to get close to a figure of overwhelming power, but online, her exuberance sparked criticism such as:

“Is that behavior appropriate for the prime minister of a nation?”

However, from the perspective of the younger “Generation Z” in their teens and twenties, the reaction is:

“Cute.”

“She feels approachable.”

Some reports even show her approval among Gen Z exceeding 90%. On platforms like TikTok, “Takaichi videos” are spreading widely and racking up far more views than those of any other politician. A political reporter for a major national newspaper expressed surprise:

“At first, we thought Takaichi becoming prime minister would bring back the LDP’s older conservative base. But in reality, the momentum is coming from young people who were previously politically apathetic. Meanwhile, the LDP’s traditional conservative base is actually worried about accelerated rightward drift and intensifying confrontation with China. Compared to former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, many Gen Z voters say she ‘seems decisive,’ ‘is easy to understand,’ and ‘looks like she’ll actually get things done.’”

The black handbag Prime Minister Takaichi carried when she entered the Prime Minister’s Office for the first time after her designation has also been selling “like crazy.” The bag—“Grace Delight Tote” by Hamano Leather Craft, a manufacturer in Nagano—costs 136,400 yen. It has been selling so fast that production cannot keep up. It is a clear sign of the influence of the social media era.

Why Takaichi’s popularity does not equal popularity for the LDP

Regarding the secret behind Takaichi’s popularity, a Nagatachō insider points to:

“A change in her makeup.”

Until now, ever since entering politics, Prime Minister Takaichi had consistently kept the same signature makeup style, but she changed her specs starting with the LDP presidential election.

“If you compare her past photos, you’ll see that from the presidential race onward, she switched to a natural makeup style. She consulted a professional makeup artist and changed the thickness and angle of her eyebrows as well. This is an era where appearance matters for politicians. Her expression instantly became brighter.” (Nagatachō insider)

Originally a TV newscaster, Takaichi already had strong raw material, so the results of the makeover were striking.

“She consciously tries to smile more, using former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba—who often wore a sour expression—as a negative example. In private, Takaichi is a heavy metal fan and a Hanshin Tigers supporter. Supposedly, she turns into a different person when it comes to Hanshin. That down-to-earth side is probably another reason she attracts younger support.” (Women’s magazine reporter)

Asked about Takaichi’s popularity, political commentator Harumi Arima offered this analysis:

“Takaichi was never a politician who emphasized her womanhood, but the slight moments when she shows a kind of girlishness — that’s what makes her handbag go on backorder, or the pink pen she uses fly off the shelves. That popularity among the public also seems to leave a good impression on foreign leaders.

She watched a Dodgers game with President Trump on TV, and although Xi Jinping had a stern face during the formal greeting at their summit, he smiled during their greeting in the APEC waiting room. The Foreign Ministry prepared the setting well, but drawing out that smile was due to Takaichi’s personality. Her diplomacy was a perfect score, but now tough domestic issues await, like economic measures and reducing the number of Diet seats. Still, with high approval ratings, she has the advantage of being able to take bold actions.”

Having secured the support of young people—a longstanding challenge for the LDP—the Takaichi administration is like “adding a metal club to an ogre.” Even within the opposition, people say:

“If they call an election now, we can’t compete.”

However, Arima cautions:

“The Takaichi Cabinet’s approval rating is shooting up, but the LDP’s approval rating isn’t rising nearly as much. The public had been in a ‘We won’t forgive the LDP’ mood, and Takaichi has only created a slight ‘thaw.’ If her administration continues to meet public expectations, the LDP’s image may gradually recover. But for now, it’s purely Takaichi’s popularity — mistaking this for an LDP resurgence would be a big error.”

What impact will “Takaichi popularity” have on politics from here on?