Sanae Takaichi has become Japan’s first female prime minister, following an overwhelming vote in parliament on Tuesday (21 October). Known as Japan’s Iron Lady, Liberal Democratic Party leader Takaichi is the fourth person to take on the top job since Shinzo Abe stood down in 2020, the BBC reported. As well being an advocate of Abe’s economic policies, Takaichi is also a fan of Margaret Thatcher (hence the nickname) and holds staunch conservative views – including being opposed to same-sex marriage. In 2023, while discussing Japan’s LGBT Understanding Promotion law, which seeks to avoid “unfair discrimination” of queer people, Takaichi said: “There should be no prejudice against sexual orientation and gender identity.” However, this is at odds with her statements elsewhere, when she described gay marriage as a “very difficult problem”. Homosexuality is legal in Japan but the country lags behind when it comes to a ban on conversion therapy, as well as not recognising same-sex marria...