Sanae Takaichi, president of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), secured appointment in the powerful lower house as Japanese prime minister without a runoff vote on Wednesday, Xinhua News Agency reported. Following the attestation ceremony for the prime minister and the certification of cabinet minister at the Imperial Palace, the second Takaichi cabinet, a coalition with Japan Innovation Party (JIP), is expected to be formed on Wednesday evening, according to Japanese media reports.
In interviews with the Global Times on Wednesday, Chinese and Japanese scholars stated that the new Takaichi cabinet will likely focus on three main areas: economy and finance, security and defense, and domestic political integration. However, it faces multiple internal and external challenges: its pursuit of constitutional revision and military strengthening, its China policy, and its diplomatic strategy will not only shape Japan’s own development prospects but also raise concerns among regional countries and the international community.
