Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has replaced her official Lexus LS sedan with a Toyota Century SUV [1].
The transition marks a shift in the prime minister's security and transport profile, moving from a traditional luxury sedan to a high-profile SUV. This change reflects a move toward the Century line, which is historically reserved for the highest levels of Japanese government and royalty.
Takaichi used the Lexus LS sedan for five years [1]. The new vehicle is described as a taller replacement for the retired sedan [1]. The Century SUV is the most luxurious offering from Toyota, designed to provide maximum space and security for high-ranking officials.
Despite the upgrade to the lead vehicle, the prime minister continues to be supported by a security detail utilizing older models. A convoy of aging Lexus LS sedans now guards Takaichi’s blacked-out Century SUV, MSN Autos said [1].
The switch comes after five years of reliance on the Lexus LS platform [1]. While the specific reasons for the change were not provided, the Century SUV offers a different tactical and aesthetic presence on the road compared to the lower-profile sedan.
“Sanae Takaichi has replaced her official Lexus LS sedan with a Toyota Century SUV”
The adoption of the Toyota Century SUV by the prime minister signals a return to traditional prestige symbols within the Japanese government. By moving away from the Lexus LS—a global luxury brand—to the Century, which is a domestic symbol of ultimate status and authority, the administration aligns itself with a vehicle specifically engineered for the unique security and ceremonial needs of the Japanese state.
