Overview
- Takaichi took office on Tuesday after the LDP reached a cooperation arrangement with the Japan Innovation Party to ensure her designation in the Diet following Komeito’s exit from their 26-year alliance.
- JIP is offering support from outside the Cabinet and has so far resisted taking ministerial posts, with the parties establishing a consultative framework to coordinate policy.
- In policy talks, JIP proposed reforms including a 10% cut in parliamentary seats and a ban on corporate and group political donations, pressuring the LDP on sensitive issues.
- The new 19-member Cabinet includes only two women, drawing criticism over women’s representation as Takaichi defended the selections by citing limited female ranks within the LDP.
- Analysts warn of governance risks given JIP’s limited ministerial experience—only Seiji Maehara has served in a Cabinet—and potential friction over a supplementary budget or even a snap election.