Sanae Takaichi, leader of Japan’s conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is on the verge of making history as the nation’s first female prime minister. Takaichi was elected to the top of LDP earlier this month as part of the LDP leadership. Her ambitions started to look unexpectedly shaky as her governing coalition started to splinter. One thing is becoming clear — a possible bloc with Osaka’s Hirofumi Yoshimura looks like it’s firming, clearing her way to the premiership.
Takaichi’s tightly-focused bid for leadership was thrown into turmoil once the ad-hoc coalition she relied upon began to unravel. Though these hurdles remain, according to local media, Takaichi and Yoshimura are expected to execute a coalition agreement within days. This move was necessary for Takaichi’s own short-term political future. It would provide her the momentum she needs to place ahead of other candidates in a possible second-round run-off.
So expect the big talk about the new coalition to come on Monday. People familiar with the negotiations now expect to have the deal formalized before President Donald Trump lands in Japan. Whatever the substantive outcome, these negotiations will leave their mark on Japan’s political landscape. The exact terms of the coalition with Yoshimura will determine just how much impact Yoshimura can have on Takaichi’s prospective cabinet and beyond.
Yet Takaichi has sailed through the treacherous political waters in recent weeks. She even skipped a trip to a controversial World War II shrine as relations with Japan’s historical standard bearers remain tumultuous. This decision illustrates her deep reading of the public mood and the political complexities in her pursuit of leadership.
The LDP have expressed their faith in Takaichi’s ability to handle the coalition negotiations deftly. As Kyodo reports, LDP has charged Takaichi with handling negotiations within the ruling coalition. In the meantime, on Sunday, the JIP goes to Osaka for an executive board meeting and then on Monday for a joint plenary lawmakers’ meeting to approve the deal with the LDP.
In order to secure her position as prime minister, Takaichi would need more votes from members of parliament than any competing candidate. Despite this change, due to her formative leadership role and experience with the LDP, many observers agree that she is extremely well-positioned to make this goal happen.
