Overview
- Lawmakers reinstalled Takaichi as Japan’s 105th prime minister, with 354 votes in the lower house and 125 in the upper house after a second round, consolidating a roughly two‑thirds LDP majority that gives her strong legislative leverage.
- She will prioritize a year‑end review of defense policy, seek to lift the ban on lethal arms exports, push creation of a national intelligence agency and advance an anti‑espionage law as she deepens coordination with the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom.
- Near‑term economic steps include a proposed two‑year cut to the consumption tax on food and swift passage of the delayed budget, even as the IMF warns Japan’s debt‑service costs could jump under looser fiscal policy.
- U.S. ties featured prominently as President Trump backed Takaichi before the vote and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Japan will fund an initial $36 billion in projects from a $550 billion package, with a summit being arranged for next month.
- Takaichi faces street protests and opposition attacks over constitutional and militarization concerns, and her November remarks on possible action if China moves on Taiwan have already drawn diplomatic blowback from Beijing.