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Sanae Takaichi has made history as Japan’s first female prime minister, just a few days before U.S. President Donald Trump is set to visit Tokyo. Against the backdrop of this early test of the countries’ partnership, Newsweek has broken down what Takaichi, a conservative, has said about her American counterpart. Why it Matters Takaichi is Japan's fifth prime minister in five years and the first woman to hold the office in the world’s fourth-largest economy, where men dominate leadership roles in commerce and politics. Takaichi’s policies include a tough stance on immigration, and as the head of government, she will have to navigate domestic and economic pressures, a trade deal with the Trump administration, and a host of geopolitical issues in the region. Takaichi’s election represents a pivotal moment for both Japanese politics and the U.S.-Japan alliance. As a conservative with policy views aligned closely to her mentor, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi's approach to President Trump and her commentary on the bilateral relationship are expected to shape economic, security, and diplomatic cooperation. What Sanae Takaichi Has Said About Donald Trump At the beginning of this month, Trump congratulated Takaichi for being on course to win the leadership race in her party, though he did not specifically mention her by name. He described her as "a highly respected person of great wisdom and strength." He wrote: "Japan has just elected its first female Prime Minister, a highly respected person of great wisdom and strength. This is tremendous news for the incredible people of Japan. Congratulations to all!" In response, Takaichi posted on X: "I’m very pleased to receive his kind words." She emphasized her intent to deepen the Japan-U. S. alliance, writing, "We look forward to working together to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific region." She added in a separate message: "Truly hoping to work together with President Trump to make our Alliance even stronger and more prosperous, and to advance a Free and Open Indo-Pacific." Takaichi is seemingly positioning herself as a reliable partner to the U. S.—in her first press conference since winning her party the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)’s leadership election, she vowed to strengthen the U.S.- Japan relationship. She said she would honor the tariff and trade agreements between the current Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and the Trump administration. But she has also promised to keep Japan’s best interests as her priority. In September, she spoke about a $550 billion Japanese investment fund that was part of an agreement to lower U.S. tariffs, saying that renegotiation might be necessary. "We must stand our ground if anything unfair that is not in Japan’s interests comes to light in the process of implementing the deal," Takaichi said, according to the South China Morning Post. "That includes a potential renegotiation." Takaichi has also previously criticized Trump, saying in April that Trump’s statements about the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty were causing Japanese people to be unsure whether the U.S. would come to Japan’s aid. This was in the context of advocating for Japan to improve its own defense capabilities, according to the outlet Focus Taiwan. What To Know Parliament elected Takaichi, of the Liberal Democratic Party, ending three months of wrangling since her predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, resigned following a poor LDP showing in a July election. As a conservative nationalist Takaichi’s elevation to prime minister could herald more strained ties with neighbors such as China and South Korea which both suffered at the hands of Japanese invaders and occupiers before and during World War II. Takaichi has regularly visited Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan's war dead including some executed war criminals, and is viewed by neighbors as a symbol of its past militarism. Visiting the shrine as prime minister would risk inflaming anger in the region. Takaichi also favors revising Japan's pacifist postwar constitution, which China and North Korea view with great suspicion, and she has risked infuriating China by suggesting that Japan could form a "quasi-security alliance" with Taiwan, the democratically governed island claimed by China. Takaichi, who is known to be an admirer of Britain's Margaret Thatcher, will get an early opportunity to meet President Donald Trump. They are both due to attend a meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in South Korea at the end of October, and they should find common cause on conservative issues such as immigration. Japan struck a trade deal with the Trump administration in July under which Japan agreed to invest $550 billion in the U.S, which will tax Japanese goods sold to America at 15 percent, lower than the 25 percent tariff Trump had threatened. Takaichi has raised concerns about the deal and has pledged to push for renegotiation if the agreement is seen as unfair to Japan. What People Are Saying Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, told Newsweek: "Compared to her most recent predecessors, Takaichi may take more nationalistic positions on North Korea and regional historical sensitivities than Seoul would prefer, but U.S.-Japan-South Korea trilateral cooperation should remain a priority. Beijing is likely to respond with diplomatic criticism and even economic coercion if Takaichi increases Tokyo’s support of Taiwan, counters China’s maritime expansionism, or manages to revise Japan’s postwar pacifist constitution." What Happens Next Takaichi’s administration is expected to focus on strengthening the defense alliance with the United States and deepening economic ties. President Trump is scheduled to visit Japan in a few days, when he is expected to hold summit talks with Prime Minister Takaichi. Topics likely to be discussed include increased defense spending, ongoing trade negotiations, and strategies for maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. The outcome of this summit will help define the trajectory of bilateral cooperation, especially as both countries confront regional security challenges and economic uncertainty. While details regarding substantive policy agreements are yet to be determined, Takaichi's comments remain positive and focused on alliance-building, providing continuity with previous Japanese administrations.
