Domestic Issues Dominate Prime Minister's Diet Debut
Sanae Takaichi delivered a solid first performance as the nation’s prime minister in her debut session of parliament. Leading a minority government within a new coalition, her speech was understandably light on specifics.
Following a frenetic first week focused on foreign policy, Takaichi shifted attention to pressing domestic affairs. The Diet session will center on economic and political reforms, which remain highly contentious among the public, political parties, and even within Takaichi’s own Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and coalition partners.
There is no clear agreement on how to approach these reforms. Each decision risks alienating potential allies, making this session a strong test of political skill—especially for Takaichi, who is relatively inexperienced and heads a minority government. Her ability to navigate these challenges will soon be apparent.
Coalition and Reform Challenges
The coalition between the LDP and the Japan Innovation Party (JIP) is founded on a 12-point agreement made after the election. One notable demand from the JIP is to reduce the number of Lower House representatives by 10%, reflecting Japan’s shrinking population.
This proposal threatens smaller parties lacking strong name recognition and incumbent politicians whose electoral districts or positions on proportional representation lists may be eliminated. Despite these concerns, some opposition politicians have expressed support for the idea.
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Author's summary: Sanae Takaichi's first parliamentary session highlights internal coalition tensions over key reforms, and her leadership skills will soon be tested amid complex political dynamics.