2025年10月21日，日本自民黨總裁高市早苗在國會眾議院與參議院首相指名選舉中當選，成為日本第104任首相。當眾議院宣布高市早苗以237票獲選時，直播鏡頭捕捉到她明顯舒了一口氣，隨後在座位上低頭鞠躬數秒。抬頭時，她臉上未露絲毫笑容，顯示出這一結果來之不易。相較之下，主張在野黨團結以推翻自民黨政權的立憲民主黨黨首野田佳彥僅獲149票，得知結果時他目光失落，輕輕點頭。

高市早苗的當選具有歷史意義，她成為自1885年日本內閣制度建立以來的首位女性首相。她出身於普通上班族家庭，年輕時仰慕英國前首相撒切爾夫人，如今打破了日本政壇長久以來的“玻璃天花板”。在形象上，高市也做出了明顯改變：相比一年前，她將烏黑的眉色換為與膚色更協調的淺棕色，眉形改為柔和線條；口紅則從高飽和度鮮紅色改為珊瑚色系的自然色調，並取消刻意描邊，使整體妝容不再強硬。據日本媒體報導，高市在自民黨總裁選舉前還特意參加了“笑容課程”，訓練表情肌，以改善笑起來時臉頰僵硬的神態。這一系列改變將她過往“強硬”的形象柔化，但依然難掩她右翼政見的本色。東京大學名譽教授上野千鶴子接受日媒採訪時指出：“‘只要是女性就好’的時代已經結束，因為我們無法期待她會實行有利於女性的政治。”

高市早苗的政治生涯可謂波折重重。她於1989年擔任電視台主播，1993年踏入政壇，依附日本前首相安倍晉三在政壇高歌猛進。然而隨著安倍去世，她失去了政治靠山而一度沉寂。2024年，她在自民黨總裁選舉中敗北，但今年再次當選總裁，並在公明黨退出執政聯盟後，終於登頂首相寶座。然而，她的首相之路仍充滿挑戰，面臨內政、外交及黨內整合等多重考驗。

在外交政策方面，高市早苗過去的政治立場顯示，她對中國保持較為強硬的態度。分析人士認為，高市可能會在對華政策上維持謹慎而警覺的策略，強化日本的國防自主與區域安全合作，同時在經濟與貿易領域維持必要的接觸與互動，以兼顧安全與經濟利益。她右翼背景及曾經的安倍派立場，也暗示日本未來對中國的政策可能更強調國家利益優先和安全保障，但仍需觀察其新內閣具體施政方向。

高市早苗的當選，不僅是日本政壇的歷史性事件，也象徵女性在政界取得新突破，但她的政策取向及領導風格將直接影響日本未來的內政、外交與中日關係。

On October 21, 2025, Sanae Takaichi, the president of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), was elected as the 104th Prime Minister of Japan through the parliamentary vote of both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. When the House of Representatives announced that Takaichi had secured 237 votes, live footage captured her visibly exhaling in relief, bowing at her seat for several seconds, and then lifting her head without a smile, reflecting the hard-fought nature of her victory. In contrast, Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party who advocated for opposition unity to overthrow the LDP, received 149 votes and was seen nodding slightly with a disappointed expression upon hearing the results.

Takaichi’s election is historically significant, as she becomes the first female Prime Minister since the establishment of Japan’s cabinet system in 1885. She comes from an ordinary office worker family and has long admired former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, now breaking Japan’s long-standing political “glass ceiling.” She has also made noticeable changes to her public image: compared to a year ago, she switched her previously dark eyebrows to a lighter brown that better matches her skin tone and softened their shape. Her lipstick, once a high-saturation red, is now a natural coral tone without sharp outlines, creating a less aggressive appearance. Japanese media reported that prior to the LDP leadership election, Takaichi even attended a “smile training course” to improve facial expressions, softening the stiffness of her smile. While these changes have softened her public image, her conservative and right-leaning political stance remains evident. Chizuko Ueno, Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo, told Japanese media that “the era of ‘she is fine just because she is a woman’ is over, as we cannot expect her to pursue policies beneficial to women.”

Takaichi’s political career has been marked by ups and downs. She began as a television anchor in 1989 and entered politics in 1993. She rose rapidly under the support of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, but after Abe’s death, she temporarily lost political momentum. After losing the LDP leadership election in 2024, she reclaimed the presidency this year and, following the exit of Komeito from the ruling coalition, ascended to the premiership. However, her path as Prime Minister will remain challenging, as she faces issues including domestic governance, party cohesion, and foreign policy management.

Regarding foreign policy, Takaichi has historically maintained a tough stance toward China. Analysts expect her administration to pursue a cautious and vigilant approach, strengthening Japan’s national defense and regional security cooperation, while maintaining necessary economic and trade engagement to balance security and economic interests. Her right-wing background and association with the Abe faction suggest that Japan’s future China policy may prioritize national interest and security, though the specific direction will depend on her new cabinet’s policies.

Takaichi’s election not only marks a historic milestone for women in Japanese politics but also signals a potential shift in Japan’s domestic and foreign policy landscape. Her leadership style and policy priorities will play a decisive role in shaping Japan’s future governance and its relations with China.