Just three months into the job, Japan’s first female prime minister Sanae Takaichi has called a snap election, betting that high approval ratings will give her a public mandate. Critics say it’s opportunistic and risky, especially as voters face rising prices and lingering political scandals.

In this episode, we look at why Takaichi is taking this gamble now, what she hopes to gain, and how her sudden burst of headline-grabbing diplomacy - from a drum duet with South Korea’s president to viral selfies with world leaders - is reshaping her image at home and abroad.

Asia Specific’s host Mariko Oi is joined by Professor Seijiro Takeshita from the University of Shizuoka in Japan and Yuna Ku from the BBC Korean Service to explore local reactions in Tokyo and Seoul, Japan’s tensions with China, and what Takaichi’s policy priorities could mean for Japan’s future.

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Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week.Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube, here: https://bit.ly/4iJyeVt

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Japan's snap election: Inside Takaichi’s political gamble

Asia Specific