Takaichi Wraps Up Successful Japan-U.S. Summit... "Female Prime Minister's" Handbag a Sensation in Japan

First Female Prime Minister Breaks the 'Glass Ceiling'
Handbag and Fashion Choices Spark Buzz
High Approval Rating of 68%... Especially Popular Among Young Adults in Their 20s and 30s

Sanae Takaichi, the 104th Prime Minister of Japan, attended a press conference last month before being elected as Prime Minister. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Bloomberg News reported on October 28 (local time) that Sanae Takaichi, the Prime Minister of Japan, who is credited with successfully concluding her first Japan-U.S. summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, is creating a "Takaichi Effect" in Japan, from the handbag she carries to her fashion choices.

Prime Minister Takaichi, the first female Prime Minister of Japan, is known for carrying a bag made by Hamano, a Japanese leather brand with a 145-year history. This brand has long been favored by members of the Japanese imperial family as a luxury leather brand. The product chosen by Prime Minister Takaichi is the "Grace Delight Tote Bag." The price is 136,400 yen (approximately 1.29 million won).

Photos of Prime Minister Takaichi carrying this bag on her way to the Tokyo Prime Minister's Official Residence have been released through Japanese social networking services and media outlets, leading to a surge in orders for the product. Hamano issued an apology for the delay, stating, "The volume of orders has reached six months' worth of factory production. Delivery will be delayed until the end of April next year."

Hamano 'Grace Delight Tote Bag' in black. It is known as a favorite product of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida when he commutes to the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Tokyo. Hamano official website

Prime Minister Takaichi's fashion has always been a topic of discussion. She often wears blue attire and a pearl necklace at official events, which has been interpreted as emulating former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Prime Minister Takaichi is well known as a fan of Margaret Thatcher. Former Prime Minister Thatcher was known for her fondness for blue outfits and her frequent use of a pearl necklace gifted by her husband. Bloomberg News added that Prime Minister Takaichi also prefers structured and neat styles, similar to those of the British luxury brand Launer, which was a favorite of Thatcher. Japanese fashion media outlet Fashionsnap also commented that Takaichi expresses her respect for Thatcher through her attire.

Kaori Nakano, a fashion and culture expert and professor at Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo, analyzed, "Hamano's tote bag is a practical choice for working women, as it is suitable for carrying a laptop and daily necessities without being excessive." She added, "The fact that Prime Minister Takaichi often wears clothes by Japanese designer Jun Ashida and carries a Japanese-made bag is a symbolic gesture of supporting domestic industry and expressing patriotism. This strategy is already proving effective."

Since taking office, Prime Minister Takaichi has maintained strong approval ratings. The Asahi Shimbun reported on October 27 that a nationwide poll conducted on October 25-26 showed a 68% approval rating for the Takaichi administration. She is particularly popular among young people in their 20s and 30s. Among those in their 30s, 86% responded that they "support" her. In a separate Mainichi poll conducted during the same period, the approval rating among those aged 18-29 was 76%, and among those in their 30s, it reached 70%.

Meanwhile, diplomatic observers gave positive reviews of the summit held the previous day in Tokyo between President Trump and Prime Minister Takaichi. Christopher Johnstone, former National Security Council (NSC) Director for East Asia at the White House under the Biden administration, described the summit as "successful," telling Reuters, "Prime Minister Takaichi gained time to put her own stamp on Japanese policy and Japan-U.S. relations through this visit. Whether she can actually demonstrate that ability will be closely watched at the next summit."