Sanae Takaichi has completed her first year as Japan’s prime minister, defying expectations that her tenure would be brief. The 65-year-old conservative leader has maintained an approval rating around 50%, described as robust for a Japanese leader at the one-year mark and well above the 30% threshold historically associated with political collapse. Her direct communication style and strong social media presence have resonated with younger voters, and she has successfully led the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to an election victory while maintaining Japan’s relationship with the United States.
Takaichi has drawn praise for her firm stance in a diplomatic dispute with China over Taiwan and for her refusal to back down on key policy positions. She has met with Donald Trump four times since taking office and worked to strengthen bilateral ties, though some interactions have been awkward. Her predecessors typically relied on private dining arrangements to build political alliances, but Takaichi has diverged from this tradition, preferring to communicate through social media posts and formal policy explanations rather than informal relationship-building.
However, her premiership has encountered significant headwinds entering her second year. In the current month, agricultural minister Kazuo Yana resigned on 14 October following controversy over remarks about reducing road funding to municipalities that did not support him. Takaichi initially defended Yana before eventually accepting his resignation after nearly two weeks of pressure. Critics have noted her delayed response to the scandal and questioned her media accessibility, pointing out she gave fewer press briefings in her first five months than recent predecessors while posting extensively on social media.
Takaichi also faces mounting economic challenges, including questions about how to finance her proposed consumption tax reduction from 8% to 1% on food and drink items alongside cash payments to households. She insists the plan will not require increased government borrowing, but has not provided detailed funding mechanisms, raising concerns given Japan’s already-high public debt levels. Additionally, she has faced criticism for her stance on succession law reforms and a recent incident in Okinawa involving a U.S. marine suspected of murder and robbery, which has generated local anger.
Observers suggest that unresolved economic pressures, continued cabinet management challenges, and potential plotting by party colleagues could create turbulence ahead for her administration as it enters its second year.
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