Has Sanae Takaichi Made Japan Great Again? | Big Take Asia

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s first year in office marks a shift toward assertive, conservative leadership characterized by direct engagement with voters rather than traditional party consensus. Her economic agenda centers on revitalizing Japan through massive public investment in high-tech industries like AI and aerospace, aiming to overcome decades of stagnation. While inflation has returned to target levels, her administration faces significant challenges, including a high debt burden and the need for private sector participation to sustain growth. Geopolitically, Takaichi has navigated strained relations with Beijing following her comments on Taiwan and managed complex trade and security dynamics with the United States, notably shifting oil reliance toward American suppliers. Bloomberg reporter Paul Jackson notes that while her political capital remains strong, the long-term success of her ambitious economic and foreign policy bets remains uncertain as voters await tangible improvements in their daily lives.