She has a historical past of taking robust stances on China: she has referred to as for diminished Japanese commerce dependency on China, for internet hosting US medium-range missiles on Japan’s territory and even for a debate on whether or not to host US nuclear weapons within the occasion of an emergency.
She visited Taiwan this yr and affirmed Abe’s view that “a Taiwan emergency is a Japan emergency”.
“Thus far,” says Yoichi Kato of Waseda College’s Institute of Asia-Pacific Research, “she has executed lots to get on Chinese language nerves however virtually nothing to interact with China. On the finish of the day, she may very well be extra hawkish than Abe.”
Regardless of this, or maybe due to it, Beijing was notably well mannered in response to her elevation. Even its vociferous, party-owned, nationalist information retailers have been warily restrained.
Takaichi must be distinctive to interrupt via the ranks within the nation rated No.118 out of 145 within the World Financial Discussion board’s 2025 international gender hole report. Iceland ranks first, Australia thirteenth and the US forty second.
The identical index finds that Japan’s political system is a fortress of impenetrability throughout the citadel of sexism: girls have moved solely 8.5 per cent of the way in which in the direction of equality, in opposition to a worldwide common of 23 per cent. Takaichi has modified the percentages.
Takaichi took herself to Washington DC within the Eighties to work for US Democratic congresswoman Pat Schroeder.Credit score: AP
She’s unconventionally adventurous. Aside from scuba diving and automobile enthusing, she took herself to Washington DC within the Eighties to work for US Democratic congresswoman Pat Schroeder.
Takaichi’s power of character, her Capitol Hill expertise and her sound grasp of English make her “one of many only a few Japanese politicians who can speak immediately with Donald Trump, eye to eye”, says Yamagami. She’ll have her alternative very quickly. Trump is due in Tokyo in a few weeks. “In contrast to Ishiba, who saved avoiding Trump.”
Takaichi has mentioned that she would contemplate renegotiating Japan’s US deal over Trump’s tariffs if she thought any “extremely unequal” facets have been to emerge.
However is Japan prepared for a feminine chief? A ballot final week by Japan’s Mainichi newspaper confirmed that, in opposition to 4 male candidates for the management of the LDP, Takaichi was ranked first selection.
With 25 per cent public help, she was 4 factors forward of Shinjiro Koizumi, who was the commentariat’s favorite because the son of a former prime minister in addition to a little bit of a heartthrob. Assist for the opposite male aspirants was in single digits.
“There’s an excellent diploma of pleasure about her,” Yamagami tells me. “It’s excessive time” for Japan to have a feminine prime minister. “That’s the perspective on the streets. In contrast to many different politicians from the LDP, she’s from an odd background, not a second or third-generation politician. She’s very unpretentious, she’s unassuming, she’s all the way down to earth and is aware of the views of the Japanese public. Some individuals on the left aren’t very blissful to have Japan represented by a conservative.”
Loading
Takaichi personifies a shift to the precise in Japanese politics. Financial stagnation and a way of hopelessness for the way forward for the fast-ageing society have fed frustration with the LDP, which has been bleeding votes to smaller, populist, right-wing events. By electing Takaichi, the LDP hopes to win them again.
Japanese consultants consider Takaichi will swimsuit Australia’s pursuits. Kato says she’s promising to uphold Abe’s coverage of “a free and open Indo-Pacific” as a pillar of Japan’s diplomacy.
And that she needs to pursue this idea via the 12-nation commerce settlement often called the CPTPP, which incorporates Australia, Japan and Britain however excludes China and the US. And that she’s going to prioritise the Quad group of the US, Japan, India and Australia, one other Abe child.
Yamagami says “the strategic precedence she provides Australia could be very excessive”. How does he know? “As a result of in any other case she wouldn’t speak to me.” Australia will reciprocate the precedence. The Albanese authorities has embraced Japan as its most necessary ally in Asia.
Takaichi is known for her work ethic; she doesn’t play golf – most uncommon amongst LDP politicians. “She will be able to speak coverage and substance,” Yamagami says. “She has different methods to shine.”
Peter Hartcher is worldwide editor.
