Tokyo: Sanae Takaichi has moved closer to making history as Japan’s first female prime minister after reports emerged that the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) agreed to form a coalition with the rightwing Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party).
Officials confirmed on October 20 that both parties would collaborate, aligning on hawkish stances toward China and opposing mass migration.
Hirofumi Yoshimura, co-leader of Ishin, stated that an agreement would be signed to launch the coalition government, formalizing the deal later in the day. The coalition comes after Komeito, the LDP’s previous partner of 26 years, withdrew support over disagreements on security policies and unresolved funding scandals.
The deal resolves weeks of uncertainty surrounding Takaichi’s bid for the premiership, following her recent election as leader of the LDP after Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation. Despite securing a coalition, the new government still holds 231 seats, two short of a lower house majority. Takaichi remains the strong favourite to win the prime minister vote on October 21.
Takaichi anticipated appointment coincides with former US President Donald Trump’s two-day visit to Japan, and she is expected to make her international debut at the Apec summit in South Korea. The Ishin party has sought concessions, including designating Osaka as a secondary capital in emergencies and reforms to social security, alongside calls to abolish the 10 percent sales tax on food and ban corporate donations to political parties.
Takaichi, a conservative known for opposing same-sex marriage and reigning female empresses, will lead a minority government dependent on opposition support to pass legislation, including an upcoming supplementary budget. Takaichi’s economic agenda includes higher spending and tax cuts to address rising inflation, which could conflict with Ishin’s preference for small government.
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