“Diplomatic events” demonstrated the capabilities of Japan’s new prime minister

To date, Takaishi Sanae has enjoyed one of the most successful inaugurations of a Japanese prime minister in recent memory, and thanks to her humble background – and her status as the first woman to hold the position, aided by intense media coverage of the coalition talks that led to the Nippon Ishin Nokai Party joining forces – her rise is seen as a sweeping shift in Japanese politics, even though the LDP, struggling to regain its strength, remains in power.

This perception is reflected in recent opinion polls tracking the Takaishi administration’s support rates, with major polls showing a significant rise in its support rate. A poll conducted by the GNN network showed a staggering 82%. This represents a sharp contrast to her two recent predecessors, who barely obtained majority support at the beginning of their respective terms, only to then witness these numbers quickly disappear.

The GNN poll, which gave Takaishi the second-highest approval rating among prime ministers in the past two decades, was published following an intense diplomatic campaign, suggesting that her strong international presence may have boosted already high public expectations.

Diplomatic tour

On her first trip abroad, Takaishi visited Malaysia to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, then returned to Tokyo to receive US President Donald Trump as a guest of honor, where she demonstrated a talent similar to that of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, in convincing the volatile president with symbolism and substance.

Finally, she concluded her first diplomatic tour by attending a meeting of leaders of member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, held in South Korea, where she reassured the leader of the host country, Lee Jae-myung, as well as Chinese President Xi Jinping, that she is not an advocate of extreme nationalism.

Although all of these diplomatic activities were on her agenda before she took office, these occasions provided Takaishi with an opportunity to demonstrate her abilities, an opportunity she approached with caution.

Tax cuts

Although experts have expressed concern about Takaishi’s ability to mediate, statements on the tax cuts suggest she is capable of doing so, at least for the time being. Regarding the consumption tax cuts, Takaishi initially criticized the previous leadership for refusing to consider such cuts, but has since softened her stance, stating during a speech in Parliament that implementing such cuts would be unfeasible.

The “Growth Strategy” committee, which Takaishi launched, was composed of distinguished professionals, in contrast to the figures with whom she had previously been associated, who were supporters of “Modern Monetary Theory.”

Even on matters of historical memory, she toned down her rhetoric and, in response to a question from an opposition member, replied that her government affirmed Murayama’s statement, which expressed remorse for Japan’s behavior during the war, a statement that Takaishi herself had questioned when she was a member of parliament. About “The Diplomat”

. The Japanese view Takaishi’s rise as a sweeping shift in the country’s politics.

. Takaishi Sanae enjoyed one of the most successful inaugurations of a Japanese prime minister in recent memory.