S2E49: Inside the mind of Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first woman PM

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S2E49: Inside the mind of Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first woman PM

Published on 14 Nov 2025

Our guest expert looks at her political approach, as well as her personal side.

Synopsis: The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 45 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Ravi speaks with Professor Tomohiko Taniguchi, foreign policy adviser to the Cabinet of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and one of the most authoritative voices on Japan about the ascend and likely impact of Sanae Takaichi.

They discuss Ms Takaichi’s first diplomatic encounter with US President Donald Trump, her hardline approach to defence, and China, Japan’s shifting priorities in Asean as Philippines rises in salience and Indonesia declines, Tokyo’s dread of Trump’s ‘G-2’ talk, the future of the Quad security dialogue, and her approach to economic policy.

They also discuss Ms Takaichi’s softer, personal side – her early life, propensity to ride powerful motorbikes, marriage to the same man twice and finally, the question: Now that Japan has its first woman PM, is it time to consider an Empress for Japan?

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:00 Shinzo Abe’s protege? Yes, and no.

5:00 Asean summit and first encounter with Donald J Trump

10:00 Japan’s dread of Trump’s “G-2” talk

12:00: Defence thrust, and the nuclear question

18:30 China, Japan’s key neighbour

22:30 For Tokyo, Indonesia dips while Philippines rises

26:00 Is Quad dead in the water?

31:00 Japan and foreigners

36:10 Sanae Takaichi: woman, wife, rocker, biker

41:20 After woman PM, an Empress for Japan?

Host: Ravi Velloor (velloor@sph.com.sg)