Takaichi tapped 65-year-old Katayama Satsuki for the Minister of Finance, making her Japan’s first female finance minister.

Katayama Satsuki, Minister of Finance / Takaichi said multiple times that she would ask me to be the finance minister if she became prime minister.

The Ministry of Finance is said to be the most powerful government agency, as it decides how to raise money and what to spend it on.

Katayama had won Takaichi’s trust for that post.

Katayama, whose father was a mathematician and university professor, has loved studying since she was a child. She has a long history with the Ministry of Finance.
 
She joined the Ministry of Finance in 2004 and served as the first female Budget Examiner in the Budget Bureau. She entered the world of politics in 2005.

She was one of the members of parliament dubbed the so-called Koizumi Children, a group of first-time lawmakers that were appointed under then-Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro. Katayama was appointed Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in the third Koizumi cabinet reshuffle.

She was surrounded by a huge group of reporters when she made her debut in the Diet.

Katayama Satsuki / I will not run away. Calm down. Everyone stand up please. Is everyone okay?

Katayama, who also became the first woman to serve as Chairperson of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s Policy Research Council, has extensive experience in financial policy.

Katayama built up experience 20 years ago when she was first elected.

Katayama Satsuki, Minister of Finance / The mission of the Ministry of Finance is to provide the people with exactly what they need.

The other female minister in the new Takaichi Cabinet is 42-year-old Onoda Kimi, who has been appointed as Minister of State for Economic Security and the newly created position to be in charge of foreigner-related policies. Takaichi has repeatedly said that she will strengthen immigration policies during the LDP presidential election campaign.  

She led the team that supported Takaichi in this year's LDP presidential election.

Onoda Kimi / Good morning! There's no need to put anyone down... Takaichi is in a high position, just like her name. Let’s stop criticizing and  look to a bright future.

She gave Takaichi a powerful cheer.

When Takaichi was elected the LDP head...

Onoda Kimi / I'm really glad we have been supporting her, but things are only just beginning to get tough. Let's continue to support Sanae as a team!

She was determined to continue her support for the leader.
 
Onoda was born to an American father and a Japanese mother.

She admired the heroes she saw on TV as a child and aspired to become a hero of justice.

She entered politics in the 2016 House of Councillors election.

Onoda Kimi / It's our future. If we don't decide, who will?

Onoda strongly advocated for the need for regional revitalization.

She won the lawmaker’s post.

Onoda served as the Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Justice in Suga Yoshihide’s Cabinet in 2020.

She also served as Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense in Kishida Fumio’s Cabinet in 2022.

Under the new Prime Minister Takaichi, Onoda was appointed as a cabinet minister for the first time.

Reporter / What are your thoughts?

Onoda Kimi,  Minister of State for Economic Security / I’ll strive again tomorrow.