Generally, with the change of the political command in a democracy, its foreign policy direction, too, goes some transformation. Will it happen in Japan after the election of Sanae Takaichi as its new Prime Minister and have any effects on Tokyo’s relations with Washington? Observers say the prospects of Tokyo- Washington ties are rather far brighter under Takaich’s leadership.

She is a protégé of the country’s legendary Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. In Abe’s first term as Prime Minister, Takaichi held five ministerial portfolios, including a record-breaking tenure as the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications. Prime Minister Abe appointed her in 2012 in his second term too. She was ideologically always very close to Abe.  She is likely to follow Abe’s pro–US policies and take steps aimed at attaining new heights in Tokyo-Washington ties. She is already for allowing the US nuclear weapons into Japan and for the deployment of US medium-range missiles to the East Asian nation. Takaichi is also for the revision of the US-Japan Status of Forces agreement (SOFA).

The observers say Takaichi is expected to push forward her foreign policy agenda without any hindrances. She has had enough experiences in the government. She held   ministerial posts also under Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Besides, today she has a very reliable coalition partner in the Osaka-based Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party). The JIP is largely aligned with the LDP on foreign policy. Both parties support Japan’s security alliance with the US.

One, however, cannot be very certain about the stability of the Takaichi government. Despite the support of the JIP, her government holds 231 seats in the Diet. It is two seats shy of a majority. It would need cooperation from other opposition groups to pass any legislation. It is to be seen how the Takaichi government manages the affairs of the Diet. Takaichi does not have a “progressive” social agenda. She has been opposed to the same-sex marriage, a revision to the civil law that allows women to keep separate last names after marriage and become emperor. This seems to have put off several groups in Japan today. They might create problems for her in governance.

Besides, Prime Minister Takaichi may need to be vigilant about the conduct of the Komeito Party. This party has recently withdrawn from a coalition government partnership with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. It is well documented that that since its founding in 1964, the Komeito Party has adhered to its founder Daisaku Ikeda’s idea of promoting friendship between Japan and China. Its delegations visit China almost annually. Recently, Chinese Minister of the International Department Liu Jianchao met its delegation led by Tetsuo Saito. Today the Komeito Party upholds the spirit of Japan’s pacifist constitution and the 1972 Japan-China Joint Statement on the Taiwan question.

Also, it has to be seen how Takaichi advances her nation’s status as the world’s fourth-largest economy. She needs to tackle Japan’s rising inflation, debt, rice shortage and public dissatisfaction over the government’s inability to curb economic corruption.

Please follow Blitz on Google News Channel