Meet Sanae Takaichi — Japan’s First Female Prime Minister Who Still Drives Her Beloved 1991 Toyota Supra After 20 Years
When Japan elected Sanae Takaichi as its first-ever female prime minister on October 21, 2025, it was a historic moment that marked both change and continuity — and not just in politics. The newly appointed leader didn’t celebrate her achievement with a fleet of luxury limousines or a flashy new car. Instead, she quietly drove to work in her personal 1991 Toyota Supra 2.5GT Twin Turbo — the same car she’s owned and cherished for more than two decades.
It’s a rare sight in modern politics: a head of government who still drives herself around in a vehicle that’s older than many of her staff. Yet for Takaichi, the Supra isn’t just transportation. It’s a piece of her story — a symbol of independence, discipline, and love for Japan’s engineering heritage. In a nation where punctuality and precision are cultural hallmarks, her choice of a 1991 Supra feels deeply poetic. It represents reliability, balance, and a refusal to trade passion for pretense.
The Toyota Supra, especially the 2.5GT Twin Turbo model, is an icon among car enthusiasts. With its sharp, aerodynamic design, 1JZ-GTE inline-six engine, and legendary performance, the car was one of the defining sports models of Japan’s early 1990s automotive golden age. To own one today is to own a piece of mechanical art — to keep it running flawlessly for more than 30 years is a sign of meticulous care and pride. And Takaichi is known for both.
She has often spoken about how she prefers to drive herself, calling it “a moment of freedom” in an otherwise tightly scheduled life. Even as her political career rose — from serving as Minister of Internal Affairs to eventually leading the nation — she never gave up that routine. While other politicians traded their old vehicles for chauffeur-driven black sedans, Takaichi’s white Supra remained parked in her driveway, a quiet rebellion against the image-driven norms of power.
Her decision to keep the Supra resonates with many in Japan, especially younger generations who see her as a symbol of authenticity in a field often criticized for conformity. For car enthusiasts, it’s a refreshing reminder that love for engineering and performance transcends status. And for many women across the country, it’s an empowering message — that passion and leadership can coexist without apology.
The Supra’s continued presence in her life also mirrors Japan’s broader cultural respect for craftsmanship and longevity. In a society that values the preservation of old temples, traditions, and even tea-making rituals, Takaichi’s car tells a similar story. It’s not about nostalgia — it’s about care, commitment, and an appreciation for things built to last.
Takaichi’s rise to prime minister marks a turning point for Japan. The nation has long wrestled with gender inequality in politics, with women making up a small fraction of leadership roles. Her victory isn’t just symbolic — it’s transformative. Yet the fact that she continues to embrace the simplicity of driving her old Supra makes her more relatable to ordinary citizens than perhaps any leader in recent memory.
She has described the Supra as “a companion through every chapter,” a line that feels more heartfelt than political. For someone leading one of the world’s most advanced nations, the image of her starting her day by slipping behind the wheel of a vintage Toyota speaks volumes. It’s not about style — it’s about grounding. It’s a nod to discipline, to balance, and to Japan’s spirit of craftsmanship that finds beauty in longevity.
As she steers Japan into a new era, it’s only fitting that Sanae Takaichi does it in a car that represents so much of what her leadership stands for — timeless reliability, quiet strength, and an unshakable sense of identity. The Supra may be three decades old, but in her hands, it feels like the perfect metaphor for a modern Japan — powerful, enduring, and proudly original.