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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.

Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (centre) visits the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on August 15. Photo: Kyodo

China-Japan relations

China slams Japanese officials’ visit to Yasukuni Shrine on WWII anniversary

Chinese ministries denounce Japan as defence chief visits controversial shrine and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sends ritual offering.

15 Aug 2026 - 8:48PMvideocam

Japan

Japan PM avoids Yasukuni Shrine on WWII anniversary, 4 ministers visit

15 Aug 2026 - 7:09PMvideocam

Japan

What does the first visit to the Kuril Islands by Vladimir Putin mean for China?

14 Aug 2026 - 10:26PMvideocam

China-Japan relations

China approves Japanese envoy in Chongqing, ending 8-month vacancy

Shigehiro Nishiumi fills post at consulate in southwestern megacity left open amid diplomatic row over Sanae Takaichi’s Taiwan comments.

12 Aug 2026 - 9:54PMvideocam

Shigehiro Nishiumi has been approved as the new Japanese acting consul general in Chongqing. He previously served in Japan’s consulate in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout

China-Asean relations

PLA holds first joint naval drill with Indonesia in waters east of Taiwan

As Washington and its allies tighten cooperation in the region, Beijing steps up defence ties with Southeast Asia’s biggest economy.

12 Aug 2026 - 9:18PM

China-Japan relations

China detains Japanese executives in dual-use technology export probe: report

Several Japanese detained upon entering China, according to newspaper, as Beijing alleges foreign firms violated export restrictions.

11 Aug 2026 - 6:46PMvideocam

Australia

Albanese refuses to say sorry for ‘insulting’ melon joke about Japan PM

The Australian leader made the remarks about his Japanese counterpart last month, sparking backlash over perceived disrespect.

11 Aug 2026 - 3:10PM

Japan

Opinion | Japan’s defence white paper is the opening move in a longer game

Japan’s latest defence white paper confirms Chinese strategists’ fears that post-war pacifist guard rails are being dismantled under the guise of ‘self-defence’.

9 Aug 2026 - 9:33PMvideocam

Banking & finance

Macroscope | US efforts to prop up the yen risk doing more harm than good

Reversing the yen’s long-term decline ultimately rests on Japan’s ability to take its real interest rates out of negative territory – without triggering market panic.

6 Aug 2026 - 4:30PM

Japan

Takaichi avoids clear commitment on Japan’s non-nuclear pledge

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi avoids explicit pledge on non-nuclear principles at Hiroshima atomic bomb memorial.

6 Aug 2026 - 3:26PM

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi looks on during a memorial at the Peace Memorial Ceremony, on the 81st anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb, at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima. Photo: JIJI Press / AFP

China-Japan relations

Chinese and Russian warships were seen circling Japan. What could it mean?

The pair aim to show they aren’t boxed in by the first island chain and that Moscow can project power despite the Ukraine war.

6 Aug 2026 - 6:35PMvideocam

A helicopter prepares to take off from the Chinese warship Anshan during China and Russia’s “Joint Sea-2026” exercise. Photo: Xinhua

Japan

US-Japan trade thaw driven by shared yen for stronger currency

How long this boost in relations will last, though, depends on whether the yen can hold its value, experts say.

5 Aug 2026 - 6:37PM

Japan

Japan proposes tougher income rules for permanent residency

Applicants have to maintain annual household income above the average for Japanese households under the new rules.

4 Aug 2026 - 5:39PM

Banking & finance

Rare US-Japan intervention as yen hits 40-year low: what does it mean?

Washington steps in to save Tokyo’s weakened currency in first joint yen-buying action for almost 30 years, causing its value to surge.

3 Aug 2026 - 6:30PM

Japan

2 women killed in Japan’s Aeon Mall blast ordered back into store to secure cash

Executives of Habita, which operates the variety store, say they have apologised to the family of one of the victims at her wake.

3 Aug 2026 - 12:24PMvideocam

The Aeon Mall in Kashima, Kumamoto orefecture, is seen on Saturday following Tuesday’s earthquake. Photo: Kyodo

Japan

Japan quake victim dies of heatstroke while sheltering in car

Many are choosing to sleep in cars for privacy as there are over 9,000 people in crowded evacuation centres, often minus air conditioning.

2 Aug 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

Japan

Macroscope | Takaichi’s embrace of industrial policy won’t make Japan great again

Governments trying to pick winners is a futile pursuit in a fragmented world that needs a coordinated global development strategy.

1 Aug 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

Rugby World Cup 2027

Why immigration politics in Japan is leaving its Rugby World Cup stars in limbo

Timothy Lafaele starred for Japan at 2019 Rugby World Cup, but now, under new rules for the local league, he is not sure whether he belongs.

30 Jul 2026 - 7:02PM

Timothy Lafaele (centre) and Japan teammates celebrating their 2019 Rugby World Cup pool-stage win over Ireland in Fukuroi, Shizuoka Prefecture. Photo: Kyodo

US-China relations

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel on US’ decline and China’s nuclear arsenal

Zhou Bo of Tsinghua University weighs US’ commitment to Taiwan, how big a nuclear deterrent China needs and the risks of AI warfare.

30 Jul 2026 - 4:10PMvideocam

China-Japan relations

Why did Okinawans visit a Beijing cemetery amid China-Japan tensions?

The trip highlights historical ties between China and the Ryukyu Islands that Beijing is leveraging as a counterweight in its row with Tokyo.

30 Jul 2026 - 11:00AMvideocam

Japan

Death toll in Japan quake rises to 18 as rescuers comb through rubble

The magnitude 7.1 earthquake that hit a day earlier in the Kumamoto area also left at least 62 people injured.

29 Jul 2026 - 5:42PMvideocam

Rescuers stand outside Aeon Mall, which was destroyed by an explosion following an earthquake in Kashima, Kumamoto prefecture, on Wednesday. Photo: AP

SCMP Highlights

Indonesia’s Singapore rival, Philippines’ economic woes: 7 Asia highlights

From India’s orbital rocket launch to Japanese voters souring on Takaichi, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

28 Jul 2026 - 12:30PM

The sun sets over Kuningan business district in Jakarta. Indonesia wants to build a financial centre to rival Singapore, Hong Kong or Dubai. Photo: Shutterstock

China-Japan relations

Beijing fires new salvo at Tokyo with documentary on disputed Diaoyu Islands

Series comes as political and maritime tensions have been ramping up between the neighbours for months.

27 Jul 2026 - 5:39PM

Japan

Japan courts India, Malaysia to escape US-China AI duopoly

Fears over foreign software curbs have pushed Tokyo to pitch its own tech to Asian partners and others.

25 Jul 2026 - 1:07PM

Japan

Japan’s overworked defence ministry plans first new bureau since 2007

The ‘long overdue’ move is expected to boost the defence ministry’s capacity to work more closely with allies and ease operational strain.

24 Jul 2026 - 4:00PM

Japan

Japan voters ‘pretty angry’ with PM Takaichi as support frays

Recent opinion polls show Takaichi’s approval rating slipping, reflecting the public’s disdain for her priorities, analysts say.

23 Jul 2026 - 3:14PM

Japan

Are Chinese tourists really to blame for overcrowding Japan’s Kyoto?

Data from the Kyoto City Tourism Association shows a sharp decline in Chinese overnight stays as a result of growing bilateral tensions.

21 Jul 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

China-Japan relations

China’s military mouthpiece issues full-page warning on Japan’s drone power

PLA Daily says unmanned platforms have allowed Tokyo to circumvent constitutional constraints on military development.

20 Jul 2026 - 6:57PM

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Sanae Takaichi

(高市早苗)

China slams Japanese officials’ visit to Yasukuni Shrine on WWII anniversary

Chinese ministries denounce Japan as defence chief visits controversial shrine and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sends ritual offering.

Japan PM avoids Yasukuni Shrine on WWII anniversary, 4 ministers visit

What does the first visit to the Kuril Islands by Vladimir Putin mean for China?

China approves Japanese envoy in Chongqing, ending 8-month vacancy

Shigehiro Nishiumi fills post at consulate in southwestern megacity left open amid diplomatic row over Sanae Takaichi’s Taiwan comments.

PLA holds first joint naval drill with Indonesia in waters east of Taiwan

As Washington and its allies tighten cooperation in the region, Beijing steps up defence ties with Southeast Asia’s biggest economy.

China detains Japanese executives in dual-use technology export probe: report

Several Japanese detained upon entering China, according to newspaper, as Beijing alleges foreign firms violated export restrictions.

Albanese refuses to say sorry for ‘insulting’ melon joke about Japan PM

The Australian leader made the remarks about his Japanese counterpart last month, sparking backlash over perceived disrespect.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Japan’s defence white paper is the opening move in a longer game

Japan’s latest defence white paper confirms Chinese strategists’ fears that post-war pacifist guard rails are being dismantled under the guise of ‘self-defence’.

Macroscope | US efforts to prop up the yen risk doing more harm than good

Reversing the yen’s long-term decline ultimately rests on Japan’s ability to take its real interest rates out of negative territory – without triggering market panic.

Takaichi avoids clear commitment on Japan’s non-nuclear pledge

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi avoids explicit pledge on non-nuclear principles at Hiroshima atomic bomb memorial.

Chinese and Russian warships were seen circling Japan. What could it mean?

The pair aim to show they aren’t boxed in by the first island chain and that Moscow can project power despite the Ukraine war.

US-Japan trade thaw driven by shared yen for stronger currency

How long this boost in relations will last, though, depends on whether the yen can hold its value, experts say.

Japan proposes tougher income rules for permanent residency

Applicants have to maintain annual household income above the average for Japanese households under the new rules.

Rare US-Japan intervention as yen hits 40-year low: what does it mean?

Washington steps in to save Tokyo’s weakened currency in first joint yen-buying action for almost 30 years, causing its value to surge.

2 women killed in Japan’s Aeon Mall blast ordered back into store to secure cash

Executives of Habita, which operates the variety store, say they have apologised to the family of one of the victims at her wake.

Japan quake victim dies of heatstroke while sheltering in car

Many are choosing to sleep in cars for privacy as there are over 9,000 people in crowded evacuation centres, often minus air conditioning.

Macroscope | Takaichi’s embrace of industrial policy won’t make Japan great again

Governments trying to pick winners is a futile pursuit in a fragmented world that needs a coordinated global development strategy.

Why immigration politics in Japan is leaving its Rugby World Cup stars in limbo

Timothy Lafaele starred for Japan at 2019 Rugby World Cup, but now, under new rules for the local league, he is not sure whether he belongs.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel on US’ decline and China’s nuclear arsenal

Zhou Bo of Tsinghua University weighs US’ commitment to Taiwan, how big a nuclear deterrent China needs and the risks of AI warfare.

Why did Okinawans visit a Beijing cemetery amid China-Japan tensions?

The trip highlights historical ties between China and the Ryukyu Islands that Beijing is leveraging as a counterweight in its row with Tokyo.

Death toll in Japan quake rises to 18 as rescuers comb through rubble

The magnitude 7.1 earthquake that hit a day earlier in the Kumamoto area also left at least 62 people injured.

Indonesia’s Singapore rival, Philippines’ economic woes: 7 Asia highlights

From India’s orbital rocket launch to Japanese voters souring on Takaichi, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Beijing fires new salvo at Tokyo with documentary on disputed Diaoyu Islands

Series comes as political and maritime tensions have been ramping up between the neighbours for months.

Japan courts India, Malaysia to escape US-China AI duopoly

Fears over foreign software curbs have pushed Tokyo to pitch its own tech to Asian partners and others.

Japan’s overworked defence ministry plans first new bureau since 2007

The ‘long overdue’ move is expected to boost the defence ministry’s capacity to work more closely with allies and ease operational strain.

Japan voters ‘pretty angry’ with PM Takaichi as support frays

Recent opinion polls show Takaichi’s approval rating slipping, reflecting the public’s disdain for her priorities, analysts say.

Are Chinese tourists really to blame for overcrowding Japan’s Kyoto?

Data from the Kyoto City Tourism Association shows a sharp decline in Chinese overnight stays as a result of growing bilateral tensions.

China’s military mouthpiece issues full-page warning on Japan’s drone power

PLA Daily says unmanned platforms have allowed Tokyo to circumvent constitutional constraints on military development.

Opinion | Japan’s defence white paper is the opening move in a longer game

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel on US’ decline and China’s nuclear arsenal