Tokyo: Hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi is poised to become Japan’s first female prime minister after the right-wing opposition Japan Innovation Party (Ishin) agreed to support her bid. Ishin co-leader and Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura confirmed the alliance, stating, “I told Takaichi that we should move forward together,” with formal coalition discussions scheduled for Monday evening.
The coalition, combining the LDP’s 196 seats with Ishin’s 35, delivers 231 seats in the lower house, two short of an outright majority. Analysts expect this to secure Takaichi a parliamentary vote on Tuesday, where she only requires a simple majority of ballots cast to assume office. The alliance comes after Komeito abruptly ended its 26-year partnership with the LDP following Takaichi’s selection as party leader, creating initial uncertainty over her premiership.
Investors reacted positively to the coalition deal, with the Nikkei share index surging over 2% to a record high, while the Japanese yen weakened amid expectations of increased government spending. Takaichi, known as a fiscal dove, has advocated higher spending and tax cuts to ease consumer inflation and criticized the Bank of Japan’s recent rate hikes. However, Ishin’s small-government stance may limit her economic ambitions.
On security and social policy, Takaichi is a hawk. She has repeatedly called for revising Japan’s pacifist constitution to recognize military roles, higher defense spending, stricter immigration controls, and opposes allowing women to retain surnames after marriage. Her visits to the Yasukuni war shrine have drawn criticism from neighboring countries concerned over historical sensitivities.
As Japan approaches a historic political transition, Takaichi’s coalition pact marks a critical moment. Analysts suggest her government will face immediate challenges in balancing fiscal expansion with coalition compromises while addressing both domestic and international policy concerns.