China Unscripted China Tried to Sabotage Japan's New Prime Minister
Nov 19, 2025
Japan's new Prime Minister, Takaichi Sanae, is taking a hardline stance against the Chinese Communist Party. Counterintelligence expert Dr. Robert Eldridge reveals attempts by China to sabotage her leadership bid. An aggressive consul general in Osaka is pressuring Japan, while China tried to leverage internal coalition politics to block Takaichi. Early diplomatic pushback has highlighted her strong public support, especially among the youth, despite threats from Chinese diplomats. The shifting dynamics reflect growing tensions between Japan and China.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Beijing Tried To Block Her Rise
- China actively tried to block Takaichi Sanae's rise by pressuring Japan's coalition partner to withhold support.
- The effort shows Beijing intervenes directly in Japanese party politics to shape leadership outcomes.
Opposition Piled Questions On Her
- Takaichi returned from diplomacy and immediately faced marathon parliamentary questioning from opposition parties.
- Opponents funneled questions to her to exhaust and pressure the new prime minister right after she took office.
Komeito Shifted LDP Dynamics
- Komeito acted as a long-standing bridge between Japan and China and eroded LDP cohesion over decades.
- The LDP grew dependent on Komeito's support while losing traditional supporters, weakening internal party trust.