Asia Geopolitics Under New Leadership, What’s Next for Japan?
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Oct 25, 2025 Yuki Tatsumi, a seasoned expert on Japanese security and U.S.-Japan relations, discusses Japan's shifting political landscape. He highlights growing voter frustration with the LDP and economic anxieties post-COVID. The fragmented opposition complicates alternative governance. Yuki also analyzes Takeichi's pragmatic approach to South Korea and Beijing’s concerns over Japan's turnover. He delves into defense policies, emphasizing efforts to recognize the Self-Defense Forces and strengthen U.S. ties while anticipating continuity in diplomatic strategies.
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Mounting Voter Frustration Reshapes Politics
- Voters are increasingly frustrated with the LDP and its coalition partners due to post-COVID inflation and stagnant economic prospects.
- This frustration produced fractured voting that left LDP largest but without a clear majority, creating political uncertainty.
Fragmented Opposition Keeps LDP Central
- Opposition parties hold fragmented seats and lack voter trust after past failures, preventing a clear alternative to the LDP.
- That forces the LDP to seek multiple coalition partners to govern effectively.
Takaichi's Reassuring First Exchange With South Korea
- In her first press conference, Prime Minister Takaichi told a South Korean reporter she values a "forward-looking relationship" and praised Korean products and culture.
- She used personal touches to reassure Seoul despite conservative ties to Abe's policy lineage.