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Sanae Takashi is on track to become the first woman in Japan's history to head the government, in a move that local media have described as the "birth of Japan's Iron Lady."

The Japanese politician achieved success after two failed attempts, and at 64 years old, Takashi was elected leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on the 70th anniversary of its founding, paving the way for her official appointment as Prime Minister when the parliament approves her nomination in mid-October.

Drummer

Born in 1961 in Nara Prefecture to a modest family, Takashi's father was a simple employee and her mother a police officer. Politics was not part of her dreams, but she possessed a strong personality that led her down unconventional paths, according to the BBC.

In her youth, Takashi worked as a drummer in a heavy metal band and became known for her intense passion for music and her ability to break drumsticks while playing due to her excessive enthusiasm. She practiced diving and had a love for sports cars, and her favorite car, a Toyota Supra, is still on display today in a museum in Nara.

She worked as a television presenter, which helped her gain a strong media presence, a trait that continued to distinguish her in her subsequent political career.

Studying in America

Her interest in politics began during her studies in the United States in the 1980s, particularly when she worked in the office of Democratic Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder, known for her criticism of Japanese policies at that time.

Takashi noticed how Americans often confuse Asian cultures and concluded that "Japan must rely on its own strength so as not to be a hostage to the perceptions of others."

She ran in her first parliamentary election in 1992 as an independent candidate but lost. However, about a year later, she won a seat in parliament and joined the Liberal Democratic Party in 1996.

Since then, she has won 10 consecutive elections and held several ministerial positions, most notably as Minister of Communications and Minister of Economy and Security.

Student of Shinzo Abe

Takashi is considered one of the prominent students of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, adopting his economic vision known as "Abenomics," which is based on significant government spending and easing lending.

During her recent campaign, she announced that she wants to be "the Iron Lady of Japan," a clear reference to her admiration for the UK's first female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher.

Despite her well-known conservative positions, she showed flexibility in her recent speech, pledging to support working women through tax breaks for childcare services and expanding healthcare services for women.

Restoring Confidence in the Ruling Party

Takashi says she draws strength from her personal experiences caring for the elderly and sick in her family, adding, "I have personally experienced the difficulties of balancing work and caregiving, which is why I want to build a society where no one has to leave their job for their family."

At a time when Japan faces economic and demographic challenges, Takashi has a clear goal of restoring confidence in the ruling party and reclaiming Japan's position on the global stage. The new Iron Lady is preparing to officially take office on October 15.