In 2022 we wrote about Japanese politician Sanae Takaichi and her beloved A70 Toyota Supra. At the time, she had lost her bid to become the next Prime Minister, but over the weekend she was elected to head Japan’s ruling party. In Japan’s parliamentary system that means she’s almost certain to become the nation’s first female Prime Minister, and car enthusiasts across the country are excited to have one of their own as the new leader.
Takaichi is the original owner of a 1991 2.5GT Twin-Turbo Limited, the first new car she bought with her own money. It’s powered by a 276-horsepower 1JZ-GTE, an engine option never offered on US-market A70s. Takaichi drove it for 22 years as she rose through the ranks of the Liberal Democratic Party, often commuting the 500 kilometers (310 miles) between Tokyo and her home district of Nara.
When her job rendered her too busy to drive her beloved Supra, she couldn’t bear to part with it and garaged it for nearly a decade. In 2022 she had it restored with the help of Nara Toyota, a company that oversees Nara-region Toyota dealerships. It has since been on display at the Nara Mahoroba Automobile Museum, a former Uniqlo store that now houses a small gallery of about 10 cars that have been restored by Nara Toyota.
The 10-month restoration process (12:20 in video above) stripped the entire car down to is shell. The car was quite worn, with many imperfections in body and paint, and even a wasp’s nest on the headlight. The most difficult part of the restoration was repairing the heavily cracked dashboard with the “shibo” pattern of the original plastic.
When it was finished, Takaichi was presented with the keys and a plastic model of her car. She then drove it from the shop to the museum in a small parade that included a red A70 Supra and Hiace Regius, both also restored by Nara Toyota.
As news of Takaichi’s election broke news of her car ownership made headlines. Prior to the Supra, Takaichi owned a Celica XX and, according to Yahoo News, a Kawasaki Z400GP motorcycle. Car enthusiasts across Japan rejoiced, with some making a “pilgrimage” to the Nara Mahoroba Automobile Museum to see her car in person.
Many are hoping for a repeal or softening of the “13-year rule” that sees taxes on classic cars jump by 15 percent once 12 years and 11 months have elapsed since the car’s original registration date. Others are expecting renewed interest in strengthening Japan’s auto industry and action regarding the tariff situation with the US, which negatively affects Japanese carmakers.
This isn’t the first leader of Japan to own a classic car. Emperor Akihito had a Honda Integra and kept it on the palace grounds. Regardless of what Takaichi accomplishes in office, it certainly can’t hurt car enthusiasts to have someone who speaks so affectionately about an old Supra leading the nation.
Yippie, now that’s my kind of car.