Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in her inaugural policy address to parliament, underscored the importance of fostering ‘constructive and stable’ relations with China while reaffirming Japan’s alliance with the United States. Takaichi emphasized that China remains an ‘important neighbor,’ advocating for a ‘strategic and mutually beneficial’ relationship. She also highlighted the need for dialogue to address bilateral differences, a sentiment echoed by Japan’s new Foreign Minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, during his first press conference.
However, Takaichi made it clear that the US alliance remains the ‘cornerstone’ of Japan’s diplomatic and security policies. She announced plans to strengthen multilateral security ties with the US, South Korea, and the Quad alliance, which includes Australia and India. As part of her strategy, Japan’s defense spending will increase to 2% of GDP in the current fiscal year, up from the initial 1.8%. Additionally, Takaichi pledged to revise Japan’s key national security documents by the end of 2026 to enhance defense capabilities in response to evolving security challenges.
Kumiko Haba, a professor at Josai International University, noted that Takaichi’s administration appears to adopt a tougher stance compared to her predecessor, Shinzo Abe, moving away from a realist approach that prioritized cooperation with China and Russia when beneficial. This shift comes as Takaichi faces her first major diplomatic challenge with US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Japan. Political science professor Hiroshi Shiratori warned that neglecting Japan-China relations could trigger a chain reaction in East Asia, emphasizing that international relations should not revolve solely around the US.
On the domestic front, Takaichi prioritized addressing rising living costs and announced plans to abolish the temporary gasoline tax and scrap a previously planned cash handout. These measures aim to stabilize the economy and regain public trust following the ruling coalition’s recent electoral losses. Noriyuki Kawamura, an emeritus professor at Nagoya University of Foreign Studies, stressed that the new government must focus on public concerns to ensure political stability, which is essential for implementing strong economic and security policies.