Overview
- Sky News Arabia reports she captured the ruling party leadership on its 70th anniversary, setting up a Diet vote on October 15 to formalize her appointment.
- Following Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation and the LDP’s loss of a majority in both chambers in 2024–2025, analysts say opposition parties could theoretically block her but view that outcome as unlikely.
- Policy signals point to continuity with Abenomics, with analysts expecting easier fiscal and monetary stances as she has criticized rate hikes while the Bank of Japan holds rates near 0.5% after ending negative rates in March 2024.
- Her campaign pledged targeted support for working women, including tax breaks for childcare services and expanded women’s health services.
- She has advocated a tougher posture toward China, supports revising Japan’s pacifist constitution, is viewed as friendly to Taiwan, and has left the door open to revisiting the U.S.–Japan trade agreement.