Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is seeking to secure her grip on power in a national election on Sunday, with polls suggesting a big win for her conservative party. Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, could capture around 300 seats. (REUTERS) Here are some key developments to…
Japanese voters were casting ballots on Sunday in an election expected to hand Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi a resounding win, although record snowfall blanketing parts of the country could keep some voters at home. The conservative coalition of Takaichi, the nation’s first female leader, is predicted to win around 300 of the 465 seats in…
Tokyo is considering exporting a missile system to the Philippines as it seeks to ease its weapons-export restrictions, Japanese media reported – a move likely to draw criticism from Beijing. The missile system, dubbed Type 03 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile, is of the same type that Tokyo plans to deploy on Yonaguni, an island only 110…
By Hannah Lang NEW YORK (Reuters) -The yen eased to a one-week low on Tuesday after hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi was elected as Japan’s prime minister, with traders betting her government could muddy the interest rate outlook and bring about a greater fiscal largesse. Takaichi, the first female PM and leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal…
By Makiko Yamazaki and Leika Kihara TOKYO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -After a wild week, Sanae Takaichi may have found the political support she needs to become Japan’s next prime minister – but the new cross-party alliances come with risks that her economic plans get mired in an increasingly fragmented legislature. Japan’s lower house of parliament is set…
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Asian shares skidded Friday following a retreat on Wall Street driven by concerns over banks’ loan portfolios. U.S. futures and oil prices also fell, while the price of gold climbed to over $4,383 an ounce as Washington and Beijing swapped harsh words over trade. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.3% to 47,646.31,…
If Japanese politics had a soundtrack, it would long have been quiet, calm ambient music. But with the selection of Takaichi Sanae as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on October 4th, Japan has entered a heavy-metal phase. Ms Takaichi, a one-time drummer in a heavy-metal band, is poised to become prime minister…
By Rocky Swift and Junko Fujita TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese shares surged to a record high on Monday, while the yen and long-term bonds plunged as Sanae Takaichi was all but confirmed to become the country’s next premier, stoking bets on a revival in big spending and loose monetary policy. The Nikkei 225 Index soared 5%…
Tensions between Beijing and Tokyo may escalate further with Sanae Takaichi poised to become Japan’s next leader, observers warn, citing her controversial positions on the Taiwan issue and Japanese wartime history. Takaichi, a former internal affairs minister known for her conservative views, was chosen to lead Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Saturday in…
TOKYO (AP) — In a country that ranks poorly internationally for gender equality, the new president of Japan’s long-governing Liberal Democrats, and likely next prime minister, is an ultra-conservative star of a male-dominated party that critics call an obstacle to women’s advancement. Sanae Takaichi, 64. admires former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and is a…