Sticking Close to Trump... 82% of the Public Offers Full Support [World Photo]

tok talk! world photo

"Because we visit Yasukuni Shrine ambiguously, South Korea is taking advantage of it"

"There were people called comfort women, but the term 'military comfort women' does not exist"

Japan's first female prime minister, who has caused negative concerns and national tension regarding Japan-Korea relations even before taking office.

Known by the nickname 'Female Abe,' her political actions with a strong right-wing tendency are a daily topic of interest.

▼ Jumping with Excitement Next to Trump

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 come to respect its 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

AFP Yonhap News

On October 21, Sanae Takaichi, who was elected as the new Prime Minister at the Prime Minister election held at the National Diet Building in Tokyo, Japan, is greeting fellow lawmakers. (left) / Photo by UPI

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 vision of a "strong Japan," is maintaining an exceptionally high approval rating. According to JNN, the network of Japan's private broadcaster TBS and its affiliated regional stations, a poll conducted on November 1-2 showed 82% support for the Takaichi Cabinet. This marks a remarkable 38.3 percentage point increase compared to the approval rating for the previous Ishiba Cabinet just a month earlier, while only 14.3% responded that they "do not support" the Cabinet.

JNN reported, "This is the second highest figure since the Junichiro Koizumi administration received an 88% approval rating immediately after its launch in 2001." The Takaichi Cabinet also recorded a high 71% approval rating in a poll conducted right after its official launch on October 21. Notably, support among younger generations is particularly strong.

"Whether the administration will last as long as the Koizumi or Abe Cabinets depends on changes in support among independents who do not belong to any particular party."
- Yomiuri Shimbun

In addition, 83% of Japanese respondents said they "positively evaluate" the diplomacy, including the summit meeting with President Trump held immediately after the launch of the administration.

Furthermore, 56% supported the decision to move up the timeline for increasing defense spending (national defense budget) to 2% of GDP from fiscal year 2027 to fiscal year 2025, two years earlier than originally planned. The defense budget for fiscal year 2025 was initially set at about 1.8% of GDP.

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First Diplomatic Test Deemed a Great Success

Built Trust with the Strategy of Being Trump's Close Ally and Abe's Successor

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

AFP·Reuters·UPI·AP Yonhap News Agency

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 friendly gestures, such as guiding President Trump, placing her hand on his back, and linking arms with him.

During their visit to the U.S. aircraft carrier USS George Washington, she smiled broadly at President Trump's introduction, raised her right hand, and spun around once in delight.

"Prime Minister Takaichi left a different impression than previous Japanese prime ministers."
"At the APEC summit, she actively engaged with leaders from various countries, creating an atmosphere of friendliness."
- Nihon Keizai Shimbun

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Visits to Shrines, Refusal to Use the Term 'Military Comfort Women'...

Ultra-Rightist Who Said "South Korea Is Taking Advantage"... 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

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during her school days (left), and the wedding reception of Prime Minister Takaichi and her spouse in 2004. At that time, Prime Minister Koizumi gave a congratulatory speech. /Photo by Takaichi X

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 was active in right-wing groups with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, such as the "Young Lawmakers' Association for Considering History Education" and the "Young Lawmakers' Association Supporting the Prime Minister's Visit to Yasukuni Shrine."

She has openly displayed her right-wing tendencies, including continuing to visit Yasukuni Shrine, where Class A war criminals from the Pacific War are enshrined. She is known for stating that she "values" these visits and has emphasized her intention to continue them in interviews with Japanese media. Previously, at the Liberal Democratic Party leadership debate on September 27, Prime Minister Takaichi asserted, "Wouldn't it be good for a cabinet minister to attend Takeshima Day with confidence?" and added, "There is no need to be concerned about (South Korea's) reaction. I believe everyone should know it is Japanese territory."

In her book "Defending Japan: Strong and Prosperous" (2024), Prime Minister Takaichi criticized the issue of military comfort women, referring to it as a "masochistic view of history." She argued that "the term 'military comfort women' is inaccurate Japanese" and boasted that, thanks to the efforts 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-Korea relations might regress to the "Abe era," a time when relations reached their lowest point. As a result, the first meeting with President Lee Jaemyung at the recent APEC summit drew considerable national attention.

"The world is already troubled enough with one Trump, and now there's a female version."
- Xinhua News Agency, China

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"I Like Korean Gim and Dramas"

Her Respectful Gesture Toward the Taegeukgi Also Attracts Attention

AP Yonhap News

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, is paying respect to the Taegeukgi 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

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

Prime Minister Takaichi has also issued conciliatory messages since taking office. At her inaugural press conference on October 21, she expressed her intention to improve 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 "Given the current strategic environment, the importance of Korea-Japan relations and cooperation is increasing." She added, "This year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, a significant milestone. I am confident that developing our bilateral relationship in a future-oriented and stable manner, based on the foundation we have built so far, will be beneficial for 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