Key points
- First woman premier wins two-thirds election majority historic
- Takaichi pledges stronger defenses, Taiwan stance angers China
- Policy speech to update Free and Open Indo-Pacific
- Economic plans include tax relief, debt concerns rise
TOKYO: Sanae Takaichi on Wednesday retained her post as Japan’s first female premier after parliament formally re-elected her following her ruling party’s landslide victory in recent snap elections.
Takaichi secured majority support in both chambers of Japan’s bicameral legislature — the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors — to become the country’s 105th prime minister, state broadcaster NHK reported.
According to AFP, Takaichi has vowed to strengthen Japan’s defenses and revive the struggling economy, a stance likely to further strain ties with China. She said in November Japan could intervene militarily if Beijing attempted to seize Taiwan by force, drawing sharp criticism from China. Beijing’s top diplomat Wang Yi accused Japan of seeking to “revive militarism” at the Munich Security Conference.
In a policy speech expected Friday, Takaichi will outline plans to update Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” strategy, strengthen supply chains and promote free trade through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Her government also plans legislation to establish a National Intelligence Agency and move toward an anti-espionage law.
On the economic front, Takaichi will repeat her pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years to ease inflation, despite concerns over Japan’s massive debt. International Monetary Fund officials warn that debt interest payments could double by 2031.
She is also expected to seek swift approval of the delayed national budget, tighten immigration rules, and push debates on constitutional change and imperial succession reforms.
