On October 28, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who met with U.S. President Donald Trump, is seen doing a joyful and excited "jump" at the Yokosuka U.S. military base. /Video by Maga Voice X account
"I have respect for the nation of Japan." "Now, I have respect for the new and remarkable Prime Minister." - President Donald Trump
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82% Approval Rating... One Month in Office, First Female Prime Minister
"We Like a Strong Japan" Millennials & Gen Z Also Cheer
Japanese people cheering for U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who visited Japan for a summit on October 28. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
On October 21, Sanae Takaichi, who was elected as the new Prime Minister at the parliamentary election held at the National Diet Building in Tokyo, Japan, is greeting fellow lawmakers. (left) / Photo by UPI
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who has promoted the image of a "strong Japan," is maintaining an exceptionally high approval rating. According to JNN, a network of TBS and its affiliated local broadcasters in Japan, a public opinion poll conducted on November 1-2 showed that the Takaichi Cabinet's approval rating reached 82%. This marks a dramatic increase of 38.3 percentage points compared to the approval rating of the Ishiba Cabinet a month earlier, while only 14.3% of respondents said they "do not support" the cabinet.
JNN reported, "This is the second highest figure since the Junichiro Koizumi administration achieved an 88% approval rating immediately after its launch in 2001." The Takaichi Cabinet also recorded a high approval rating of 71% in a public opinion poll conducted immediately after its official launch on October 21. Support from younger generations is particularly pronounced.
"Whether the administration will become a long-term government like the Koizumi or Abe Cabinets will depend on changes in the approval rating among unaffiliated voters." - Yomiuri Shimbun
In addition, regarding diplomacy, including the summit with President Trump immediately after the launch of the administration, 83% of Japanese people responded that they "evaluate it positively."
Furthermore, 56% supported the decision to move up the timing of increasing the defense budget (national defense spending) to 2% of GDP from fiscal year 2027 to fiscal year 2025, two years earlier than originally planned. The original defense budget for fiscal year 2025 was set at 1.8% of GDP.
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First Diplomatic Test Deemed a Great Success
Building Trust with the "Trump's Close Ally, Abe's Successor" Strategy
Sanae Takaichi, the Prime Minister of Japan, shared a photo of herself with Donald Trump, the President of the United States, on her X (formerly Twitter). /Takaichi Prime Minister X
Immediately after taking office, on October 28, Prime Minister Takaichi held her first summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Tokyo. She drew attention for her close gestures, such as guiding President Trump along the route, placing her hand on his back, and linking arms.
When visiting the U.S. aircraft carrier George Washington with President Trump, she smiled brightly at his introduction, raised her right hand, and spun around in a circle.
"Prime Minister Takaichi gave a different impression from previous Japanese prime ministers." "She displayed friendliness, such as actively engaging with world leaders at the APEC Summit." - Nihon Keizai Shimbun
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Visits to Shrines, Refusal to Use the Term 'Military Comfort Women'...
"South Korea is Taking Advantage" The Most Right-Wing of the Right... Will the 'Female Abe' Side Emerge?
In September 2014, Shinzo Abe (front row left), then Prime Minister of Japan, is walking alongside Sanae Takaichi, then Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications (front row right), among other newly appointed cabinet members to take a commemorative photo after the cabinet reshuffle. /AP Photo by Yonhap News
On April 23, 2013, Sanae Takaichi (left) visits Yasukuni Shrine as part of a group worship. On August 15, 2025, Sanae Takaichi, then Japan's Minister of Economic Security, boards a vehicle after paying respects at Yasukuni Shrine in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on the anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II, where Class A war criminals from the Pacific War are enshrined. / Photo by Yonhap News
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during her first term as a lawmaker, pictured with then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (left). On the afternoon of May 23, 2017, after the vote on the amendment to the Act on Punishment of Organized Crimes reflecting the intent of the "Conspiracy Crime" at the Japanese National Diet, then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (left) and then Minister of Internal Affairs Sanae Takaichi are seen moving with bright expressions. /Takaichi Official Website, Yonhap News
Sanae Takaichi Prime Minister's school days (left), 2004 Takaichi Prime Minister and spouse wedding reception. Then Prime Minister Koizumi gave a congratulatory speech. / Photo by Takaichi X
She has been active in right-wing groups with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, such as the "Young Lawmakers' Association for Thinking About History Education" and the "Young Lawmakers' Association Supporting the Prime Minister's Visit to Yasukuni Shrine."
She has also openly demonstrated her right-wing tendencies by continuing to visit Yasukuni Shrine, where Class A war criminals from the Pacific War are enshrined. She is known for her remarks that she "values" visits to Yasukuni Shrine, and has emphasized her intention to continue visiting in interviews with Japanese media. Previously, in a debate during the Liberal Democratic Party leadership election on September 27, Prime Minister Takaichi argued, "Wouldn't it be good for cabinet ministers to attend Takeshima Day with confidence?" and added, "There is no need to be concerned about (South Korea's) reaction. Everyone should know that it is Japanese territory."
In her book "Protecting Japan: Strong and Prosperous" (2024), Prime Minister Takaichi also criticized the issue of military comfort women, referring to the idea as a "masochistic view of history." She stated, "The term 'military comfort women' is inaccurate Japanese," and boasted that, thanks to the activities of lawmakers like herself, the phrase "forced mobilization of military comfort women" has disappeared from textbooks.
Even before the launch of the Takaichi administration, there were concerns that Japan-South Korea relations might return to the "Abe era," when bilateral ties reached their lowest point in history. For this reason, the first meeting with President Lee Jae-myung at the recent APEC Summit drew national attention.
"The world already has enough trouble with Trump, and now a female version has appeared." - Xinhua News Agency (China)
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"I Like Korean Gim and Dramas"
Her Gesture of Respecting the Taegeukgi Flag Also Draws Attention
President Lee Jae-myung is seen guiding Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan, after a commemorative photo at the Korea-Japan summit held on October 30 at the APEC Summit venue in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk (left). Prime Minister Takaichi is speaking at the Korea-Japan summit with President Lee Jae-myung held at the APEC Summit venue. /Yonhap News
Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan, pays respect to the Taegeukgi flag before heading to her seat after a commemorative photo session with President Lee Jae-myung at the APEC Summit venue in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk, on the 30th. (Right) / Photo by Presidential Office Press Photographers Group
Since taking office, Prime Minister Takaichi has also delivered conciliatory messages. At her inaugural press conference on October 21, she expressed her commitment to Korea-Japan relations, saying, "I like Korean gim (seaweed), cosmetics, and dramas."
At the APEC Summit, she stated, "Japan and South Korea are important neighboring countries to each other," and added, "Given the current strategic environment, the importance of Korea-Japan relations and cooperation is increasing." She emphasized, "This year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, a significant milestone. I am confident that developing bilateral relations in a future-oriented and stable manner, based on the foundation built so far, will benefit both countries."
Since taking office, Prime Minister Takaichi has been emphasizing cooperation with Korea while continuing the policy of improving relations.
Meanwhile, Shimane Prefecture in Japan requested the government to have cabinet members attend 'Takeshima Day' (the name Japan claims for Dokdo).
Regarding this, Kyodo News reported, "Prime Minister Takaichi's response is expected to be noteworthy."
"Originally, wouldn't it be good for the minister to proudly appear on Takeshima Day... There is no need to be cautious. I think everyone should know that it is Japanese territory." - Sanae Takaichi at the debate during the Liberal Democratic Party leadership election last September
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