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Sanae Takaichi

(高市早苗)

Sanae Takaichi

高市早苗

The latest news and top stories on Sanae Takaichi. A long-serving member of the Japanese House of Representatives, she has held numerous significant cabinet roles. Her past positions include Minister of State for Economic Security, Internal Affairs and Communications, Science and Technology Policy, and Youth Affairs and Gender Equality. Known for her staunch conservative views and close alliance with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi has focused on strengthening Japan’s economic security, cybersecurity and national defence. She has also chaired the LDP’s Policy Research Council and recently led a commission on public safety and cybercrime. Takaichi has twice contended for the LDP leadership.

Canadian Minister of National Defence David McGuinty (left) and Philippine Secretary of National Defence Gilberto Teodoro take part in a signing ceremony in Ottawa on June 11. Photo: AP

The Philippines

Philippines’ Marcos is in Canada. What does it mean for Ottawa’s foreign policy?

While the Philippines and Canada are US allies, both are looking to expand partnerships with other middle-power countries, analysts say.

6 hours agovideocam

China-Japan relations

China’s pressure campaign tests Trump’s commitment to Japan

6 hours agovideocam

Japan

‘My dream is broken’: foreign business owners in Japan lament new visa rules

1 Jul 2026 - 11:53AM

China shipbuilding

China’s grip on global ship repair worries Japan. Can Tokyo end its dependence?

Tokyo’s new industrial strategy reflects growing concern over economic security amid frayed bilateral ties with Beijing, analysts say.

1 Jul 2026 - 11:00AMvideocam

Japan

Meet AIko: Japan’s AI police chief taking on a US$2 billion scam epidemic

Japan has a new police chief. Her name is AIko, she lives on YouTube and she’s coming for scammers.

29 Jun 2026 - 12:15PMvideocam

China-Japan relations

Chinese translation of Tokyo war trial records fill ‘critical gap’: state media

The 40-volume project marks the first time that the complete court records from the tribunal have been published in Chinese.

26 Jun 2026 - 6:04PMvideocam

China travel

China-Japan flights to decline 57% in summer travel peak as tensions linger

Of Japan’s top five inbound tourism markets so far this year, mainland China is the only one where travellers require a visa.

25 Jun 2026 - 4:59PMvideocam

ANA and Japan Airlines planes taxi at Haneda airport in Tokyo on April 12, 2026. Photo: Kyodo

China-Japan relations

2 Japanese held in China over alleged rare earths smuggling

Both detainees taken into custody last month about a week apart but at least one not suspected of spying.

24 Jun 2026 - 4:04PMvideocam

Japan

Angry anti-war protesters jeer Japan’s Takaichi over softening pacifist stance

Demonstrators shouted slogans throughout the prime minister’s speech at a World War II memorial event in Okinawa.

24 Jun 2026 - 1:32PMvideocam

Japan

Video | Japan raises visa fees fivefold

A single-entry visa will jump from 3,000 yen (US$18.54) to 15,000 yen, and a multiple-entry visa will rise from 6,000 yen to 30,000 yen.

23 Jun 2026 - 7:20PM

01:20

Japan

How Japan seeks to win over allies by refuting China’s claims of militarism

Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi questions the accuracy of China’s military spending data, contrasting it with Japan’s transparent approach.

23 Jun 2026 - 4:47PMvideocam

A sailor raises the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force ensign on board the JS Ise, a helicopter destroyer, as it docks at the international port in Manila in June last year. Photo: AFP

China-Japan relations

Japan’s visa fee jump to hit Chinese tourists hard, straining tense ties

Beyond the fivefold visa fee spike, flight shortages and soaring airfares expected to deter price-sensitive Chinese travellers, analysts say.

24 Jun 2026 - 9:11AMvideocam

China-Japan relations

Japan’s defence outreach to counter China in the region hits hidden roadblocks

Tokyo’s approach combines security, economic and diplomatic tools to show regional nations an alternative to the China-US dilemma.

23 Jun 2026 - 6:36AMvideocam

US-China relations

Australian public cooling on Trump’s US while thawing on China, survey finds

Japan’s latest live-fire drill is about offence, not defence: PLA Daily

Tokyo’s forces will become ‘more offensive, more dangerous and more oriented towards actual combat’, Chinese military mouthpiece says.

22 Jun 2026 - 6:09PMvideocam

Japan

Macroscope | Why Japan’s proposal for G7 critical mineral stockpiles is a bad idea

Tokyo’s overtures towards the G7 assume that China is a threat to be countered with economic or security measures.

20 Jun 2026 - 8:11PMvideocam

Japan

Japan, South Korea not for nuclear weapons – until one of them changes policy

Should either take lead in acquiring nuclear weapons, support for such a move in the other country could rise rapidly, new US survey says.

1 Jul 2026 - 2:22AMvideocam

Japan

Trump says Japan ‘doing very well’ under his ‘biggest fan’ Takaichi

The US president also said Tokyo was not willing to get involved during the Iran war.

18 Jun 2026 - 9:17AMvideocam

Japan

Takaichi’s G7 mission: bridge Trump-bloc divides, polish ‘Iron Lady’ image

The Japanese leader also proposed a strategic mineral stockpiling plan during the summit to counter China and boost Tokyo’s global role.

16 Jun 2026 - 5:38PMvideocam

Japan

Why Japan is trying to get in on Europe’s flagship drone programme

Analysts say Japan can bring precision manufacturing to the European project aimed at building a home-grown alternative to US-made drones.

16 Jun 2026 - 5:20PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Relief and wariness: Asia watches US-Iran deal for real impact

While the deal may ease some economic pressure on Asian governments, the ‘real test’ is whether it will hold, analysts say.

16 Jun 2026 - 12:34AMvideocam

A man inspects his destroyed house after returning to Tibnin village, south Lebanon, on Monday following the announcement of an initial ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran. Photo: AP

Japan

Japan, Italy to boost tech, critical minerals cooperation

The nations seek closer ties, particularly on supply chains amid concerns about over-reliance on China for critical minerals.

16 Jun 2026 - 1:30AM

Japan

Takaichi hails UK defence ties despite next-gen jet spending uncertainty

The Japanese prime minister discussed the billion-dollar jet programme during a meeting in London with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

14 Jun 2026 - 10:08PM

China exports

Do China’s export curbs on tungsten threaten Japan’s AI chip supply chain?

Tungsten-based materials are widely used in semiconductor manufacturing, and recent supply constraints highlight growing vulnerabilities.

13 Jun 2026 - 3:00PMvideocam

Japan

‘Bad signal’: Japan’s Russia outreach puts Takaichi at odds with G7 allies

Energy needs have driven Tokyo to explore cooperation with Moscow again, which could make Europe ‘uncomfortable’.

13 Jun 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi listens to a question in the House of Councillors budget committee session at the National Diet in Tokyo on June 5. Photo: AFP

South China Sea

Opinion | Philippines’ belligerence towards China out of step with Asean trend

Manila’s security-first approach and alignment with extra-regional powers is at odds with the pragmatic direction of China-Asean relations.

13 Jun 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

China-Japan relations

Wartime apology author and Japan-China ‘bridge’ Yohei Kono dies at 89

Trade delegation to Beijing postponed after death of prominent backchannel figure who served as Japanese chief cabinet secretary.

12 Jun 2026 - 4:06PMvideocam

Malaysia

Malaysia rises as Asean ‘middle power’ through new Japan LNG deal

Petronas’ 20-year agreement to supply JERA with LNG shows how Malaysia is using its natural resources to strengthen ties, analysts say.

11 Jun 2026 - 1:26PM

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Sanae Takaichi

(高市早苗)

Philippines’ Marcos is in Canada. What does it mean for Ottawa’s foreign policy?

While the Philippines and Canada are US allies, both are looking to expand partnerships with other middle-power countries, analysts say.

China’s pressure campaign tests Trump’s commitment to Japan

‘My dream is broken’: foreign business owners in Japan lament new visa rules

China’s grip on global ship repair worries Japan. Can Tokyo end its dependence?

Tokyo’s new industrial strategy reflects growing concern over economic security amid frayed bilateral ties with Beijing, analysts say.

Meet AIko: Japan’s AI police chief taking on a US$2 billion scam epidemic

Japan has a new police chief. Her name is AIko, she lives on YouTube and she’s coming for scammers.

Chinese translation of Tokyo war trial records fill ‘critical gap’: state media

The 40-volume project marks the first time that the complete court records from the tribunal have been published in Chinese.

China-Japan flights to decline 57% in summer travel peak as tensions linger

Of Japan’s top five inbound tourism markets so far this year, mainland China is the only one where travellers require a visa.

2 Japanese held in China over alleged rare earths smuggling

Both detainees taken into custody last month about a week apart but at least one not suspected of spying.

Angry anti-war protesters jeer Japan’s Takaichi over softening pacifist stance

Demonstrators shouted slogans throughout the prime minister’s speech at a World War II memorial event in Okinawa.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Video | Japan raises visa fees fivefold

A single-entry visa will jump from 3,000 yen (US$18.54) to 15,000 yen, and a multiple-entry visa will rise from 6,000 yen to 30,000 yen.

How Japan seeks to win over allies by refuting China’s claims of militarism

Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi questions the accuracy of China’s military spending data, contrasting it with Japan’s transparent approach.

Japan’s visa fee jump to hit Chinese tourists hard, straining tense ties

Beyond the fivefold visa fee spike, flight shortages and soaring airfares expected to deter price-sensitive Chinese travellers, analysts say.

Japan’s defence outreach to counter China in the region hits hidden roadblocks

Tokyo’s approach combines security, economic and diplomatic tools to show regional nations an alternative to the China-US dilemma.

Australian public cooling on Trump’s US while thawing on China, survey finds

More than half of those questioned said relations with Beijing were more important than those with Washington.

Japan’s latest live-fire drill is about offence, not defence: PLA Daily

Tokyo’s forces will become ‘more offensive, more dangerous and more oriented towards actual combat’, Chinese military mouthpiece says.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Macroscope | Why Japan’s proposal for G7 critical mineral stockpiles is a bad idea

Tokyo’s overtures towards the G7 assume that China is a threat to be countered with economic or security measures.

Japan, South Korea not for nuclear weapons – until one of them changes policy

Should either take lead in acquiring nuclear weapons, support for such a move in the other country could rise rapidly, new US survey says.

Trump says Japan ‘doing very well’ under his ‘biggest fan’ Takaichi

The US president also said Tokyo was not willing to get involved during the Iran war.

Takaichi’s G7 mission: bridge Trump-bloc divides, polish ‘Iron Lady’ image

The Japanese leader also proposed a strategic mineral stockpiling plan during the summit to counter China and boost Tokyo’s global role.

Why Japan is trying to get in on Europe’s flagship drone programme

Analysts say Japan can bring precision manufacturing to the European project aimed at building a home-grown alternative to US-made drones.

Relief and wariness: Asia watches US-Iran deal for real impact

While the deal may ease some economic pressure on Asian governments, the ‘real test’ is whether it will hold, analysts say.

Japan, Italy to boost tech, critical minerals cooperation

The nations seek closer ties, particularly on supply chains amid concerns about over-reliance on China for critical minerals.

Takaichi hails UK defence ties despite next-gen jet spending uncertainty

The Japanese prime minister discussed the billion-dollar jet programme during a meeting in London with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Do China’s export curbs on tungsten threaten Japan’s AI chip supply chain?

Tungsten-based materials are widely used in semiconductor manufacturing, and recent supply constraints highlight growing vulnerabilities.

‘Bad signal’: Japan’s Russia outreach puts Takaichi at odds with G7 allies

Energy needs have driven Tokyo to explore cooperation with Moscow again, which could make Europe ‘uncomfortable’.

Opinion | Philippines’ belligerence towards China out of step with Asean trend

Manila’s security-first approach and alignment with extra-regional powers is at odds with the pragmatic direction of China-Asean relations.

Wartime apology author and Japan-China ‘bridge’ Yohei Kono dies at 89

Trade delegation to Beijing postponed after death of prominent backchannel figure who served as Japanese chief cabinet secretary.

Malaysia rises as Asean ‘middle power’ through new Japan LNG deal

Petronas’ 20-year agreement to supply JERA with LNG shows how Malaysia is using its natural resources to strengthen ties, analysts say.

Video | Japan raises visa fees fivefold

Macroscope | Why Japan’s proposal for G7 critical mineral stockpiles is a bad idea