Japan’s first woman prime minister believes in growth and militarisation | Tomohiko Taniguchi
In this conversation, Dr. Tomohiko Taniguchi, former special advisor to the late Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, discusses the implications of Japan’s first woman prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, her relationship with Shinzo Abe, and the challenges she faces in a changing global landscape. The discussion covers Japan’s security needs, economic vision, and the significance of female leadership in a traditionally male-dominated political environment. Taniguchi emphasises the importance of military spending, economic growth, and the need for Japan to adapt to new technological advancements while maintaining strong international alliances, particularly with the United States and India.
Taniguchi has been a longtime friend, advisor and associate of the now Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and he says that the leader, who famously sleeps for only a couple of hours a night, and takes care of her ailing husband in most of her spare time, could well be the leader Japan desperately needs. The new prime minister’s biggest challenge will be China, says Taniguchi, which throws daily provocations in Japanese waters, and Takaichi, who was once a heavy metal drummer, must recraft deeper relationships across the Indo-Pacific to take on the Chinese navy. He also says that Japan’s new prime minister takes her cues from Shinzo Abe, in many ways her mentor figure, and would look to build even deeper ties with India.
Chapters –
0:00-0:49 Introduction
1:03-3:24 Japan’s first woman Prime Minister: the leader the country needed?
4:14-6:27 The Abe legacy: will Japan’s new Prime Minister inherit his vision?
7:00-9:03 Rising tensions in East Asia: Inside China’s provocations towards Japan
9:31-11:09 While the world watches Ukraine and Gaza: what about the Indo-Pacific?
11:53-14:10 How Japan plans to strengthen its military power
14:41-16:53 Japan’s Iron Lady in the making?
17:19-19:35 A personal glimpse into Prime Minister Takaichi
20:24-22:59 What’s next for Japan’s economy?
23:45-25:48 Stability, growth and political turmoil: Takaichi’s economic challenge
26:12-28:04 Why Japan’s first woman Prime Minister matters
29:04-31:13 Legacy vs Innovation: How Japan plans its next economic leap
31:51-33:32 Japan at a strategic crossroads amid global uncertainty
33:38-34:44 Conclusion
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