Japanese Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi has expressed hopes of deepening her relationship with US President Donald Trump.
She also seeks to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in rare earths development and other areas of economic security when she visits Washington next month.
At a news conference, Takaichi expressed hopes to bolster cooperation with the US, especially in economic security, as tensions between Tokyo and Beijing have risen over the last few months.
Takaichi, elected as Japan’s first female leader in October, was reappointed by Parliament as Prime Minister earlier in the day and formed her second Cabinet, following a landslide election win last week.
Takaichi is maneuvering for a crucial summit next month with Trump, who will visit Beijing in April. The US President endorsed Takaichi ahead of the Japanese election, and hours before Takaichi’s reappointment as Prime Minister, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that Japan will provide capital for three projects under a $550 billion investment package that Japan pledged in October.
Japan is committed to the $36 billion first batch of projects; a natural gas plant in Ohio, a US Gulf Coast crude oil export facility and a synthetic diamond manufacturing site.
Takaichi said that she hoped to “closely cooperate” with Trump in the first investment initiatives at the talks scheduled for March 19.
Her goals include an increase in military power, more government spending and ultra-conservative social policies.
Takaichi aims to use the mandate she got in the election to boost her ruling Liberal Democratic Party as it looks to capitalize on a two-thirds supermajority in the lower house, the more powerful of Japan’s two parliamentary chambers.
Having two-thirds control of the 465-seat lower house allows Takaichi’s party to dominate top posts in house committees and push through bills rejected by the upper house, the chamber where the LDP-led ruling coalition lacks a majority.
Takaichi wants to bolster Japan’s military capability and arms sales, tighten immigration policies, push male-only imperial succession rules and preserve a criticized tradition that pressures women into abandoning their surnames.
Takaichi To Address Rising Prices
Her first urgent task is to address rising prices and sluggish wages and pass a budget bill to fund those measures, delayed by the election. Takaichi proposes a two-year sales tax cut on food products to ease household living costs.
Takaichi has pledged to revise security and defense policies by December to bolster Japan’s military capabilities, lifting a ban on lethal weapons exports and moving further away from postwar pacifist principles.
Japan is also considering the development of a nuclear-powered submarine to increase offensive capabilities. Takaichi wants to improve intelligence-gathering and establish a national agency to work more closely with ally Washington and defense partners like Australia and Britain.
She supports a controversial anti-espionage law that largely targets Chinese spies. Some experts say it could undermine Japanese civil rights.
Takaichi has proposed tougher policies on immigration and foreigners, something that resonates with a growing frustration in Japan. Her government in January approved tougher rules on permanent residency and naturalization as well as measures to prevent unpaid tax and social insurance.
Takaichi supports the imperial family’s male-only succession and opposes same-sex marriage.
Takaichi in November suggested possible Japanese action if China makes a military move against Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing claims as its own. That has led to Beijing’s diplomatic and economic reprisals.
Many Japanese, frustrated by China’s growing assertiveness, welcomed her comments on Taiwan. Experts say that emboldened by the big election win, Takaichi could take a more hawkish stance with China.
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