Sanae Takaichi

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As China Raises Stakes, Taiwan Unveils $40B Defense Spree

Taiwan cites China's military buildup in its announcement of new defense budget

(Newser) - As China ramps up military activity near Taiwan, the island's president announced a fresh $40 billion defense budget to shore up its defenses. President Lai Ching-te unveiled the plan for the supplementary budget on Wednesday, citing what he described as an "unprecedented military buildup" by Beijing and stepped-up...

What's Behind New Tensions Between Japan and China
Japan's New
Female PM
Ticks Off China
in a Big Way
the rundown
Nov 24, 2025 10:19 AM CST

Japan's New Female PM Ticks Off China in a Big Way

Sanae Takaichi remarks about Taiwan have set off a major diplomatic row

(Newser) - Japan's first female prime minister took office only last month , but Sanae Takaichi's reign already has been memorable: Her comments about Taiwan have brought Japan's relations with China to their lowest point in years, and the tensions have international implications. Coverage:
  • The start: Earlier this month, when
...

Japan's First Female PM Dodges a Sumo Controversy

Sanae Takaichi would likely not be allowed in the ring to present a trophy

(Newser) - It appears that Japan's first female prime minister will not be trying to upend a centuries-old tradition: the idea that women can't enter the sumo wrestling ring. Previous Japanese leaders have handed out the trophy at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo, which wrapped up on...

It's a Sign Things Are Getting Worse Between China, Japan

China on Wednesday halted recently restarted seafood imports from Japan

(Newser) - Japan in early November resumed exporting seafood to China—but those shipments look to be short-lived. As tensions rise between the two countries over new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Nov. 7 comments about potential military action against China if Taiwan were to be attacked, China on Wednesday said...

New Japan PM's 3am Staff Meeting Does Not Go Over Well

Sanae Takaichi's 3am 'study session' with aides is drawing criticism

(Newser) - Japan's new prime minister , Sanae Takaichi, is facing criticism after holding a staff meeting at 3am ahead of a budget appearance in the nation's parliament. Takaichi, known for her relentless work ethic and disdain for talk of work-life balance, convened what local media is calling a "study...

Trump Praises Ultraconservative Japan PM

Two nations hail 'golden age' of alliance, cooperation

(Newser) - President Trump began one of his busiest days of his Asia trip on Tuesday by warmly greeting Japan's new, ultraconservative prime minister , with plans to later speak to US troops aboard an aircraft carrier and mingle with business leaders, the AP reports. Although Trump is visiting one of America'...

On Trump's Trip, One Longshot Is a Meeting With Kim Jong Un

President leaves for Asia on Friday night

(Newser) - President Trump leaves for a high-profile tour of Asia on Friday night, his first visit to the region since returning to office. The big event is an expected meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, though Reuters notes that much uncertainty exists over how substantive it will be. Meanwhile, speculation is...

5 Things to Know About Japan's First Female Prime Minister

Sanae Takaichi is conservative, and also a heavy-metal drummer

(Newser) - Japan has its first-ever female prime minister after the nation's parliament elected 64-year-old Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday. A few highlights about her from various outlets:
  • Takaichi is nicknamed the "Iron Lady" of Japan because of her admiration of the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, reports the BBC
...

Japan Has Its First Female Prime Minister

Parliament elects ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi

(Newser) - Japan's parliament elected ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi, new leader of the country's long-governing conservative Liberal Democratic Party , as the country's first female prime minister Tuesday, a day after her struggling party struck a coalition deal with a new partner expected to pull her governing bloc further to the...

Japan's Likely New PM Is a Margaret Thatcher Fan

Hard-line conservative Sanae Takaichi, set to lead governing party, would be nation's first female PM

(Newser) - Japan's governing party on Saturday elected former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, a hard-line ultra-conservative and China hawk, as its new leader, making her likely to become the country's first female prime minister. In a country that ranks poorly internationally for gender equality, the 64-year-old Takaichi makes history...

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