【Japanese Podcast】Why So Popular? The Takaichi Government

【Japanese Podcast】Why So Popular? The Takaichi Government

Hello everyone, this is Yosuke. Thank you for watching the video today as well. This time, I would like to introduce Japanese news in easy Japanese. Today’s theme is “One Month of the Takaichi Administration.” Ms. Takaichi is the first female Prime Minister in Japan. She became Prime Minister on October 21, 2025. About one month has passed since then. What has happened in this month? Let’s take a look together! Recently, an interesting phenomenon has been happening in Japan. Young people are beginning to take interest in politics. On YouTube, try searching for “Parliament highlights.” Many videos will appear. This is a short edited video of questions and answers in the Diet. This is being watched a lot. Why is it so popular? The Prime Minister of Japan answers questions in the Diet. Diet members ask questions, and ministers or the Prime Minister answer. This answer is called “tōben” (official response). Tōben (official responses) are very important. Because a tōben becomes the “official view of the government.” Later, it will be checked: “At that time, you said this, right?” Therefore, politicians are very careful with their answers. At this time, many prime ministers read from papers. These papers are written by bureaucrats. Bureaucrats are public officials who work for the government. Bureaucrats check laws and past answers to prepare a “safe” response. Therefore, many prime ministers’ responses are similar. “We will judge based on each specific situation.” “We will respond after comprehensive consideration.” These kinds of phrases are often used. They use vague words and do not speak clearly. But Ms. Takaichi often speaks in her own words. She doesn’t just read the papers written by bureaucrats. She clearly expresses her own thoughts in response to questions. That is why she is popular in YouTube clips. Because people can understand what she is saying. Even on X, parliamentary topics are trending more often. Even young people who “weren’t interested in politics” have started watching. This may be a good change for Japanese politics. In a democracy, it is very important for citizens to take an interest in politics. Before getting into the main topic, I will explain some important terms. In political discussions, the terms “right-wing” and “left-wing” often appear. This represents the differences in political thinking. First, let me explain “right-wing.” Right-wing is also called “conservative.” Conservatives value tradition and culture. They place importance on protecting their country. They believe the government should interfere less in the economy. Many support strengthening defense capabilities. Next, let me explain “left-wing.” Left-wing is also called “liberal” or “progressive.” Liberals value social equality. They place importance on improving welfare and social security. They try to solve problems through diplomacy rather than military means. Many are also enthusiastic about environmental issues. However, this is a rough categorization. Actual politicians are more complex. Some people are “right-wing economically but left-wing on social issues.” Ms. Takaichi is known as a “conservative” politician. She is said to have similar views to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Knowing this background makes the news easier to understand. Earlier, I mentioned that Ms. Takaichi speaks clearly about her views. This has both positive and challenging aspects. The positive aspect is that it is easy for citizens to understand. You can clearly understand what they are thinking. The challenging aspect is that it can become a diplomatic issue. The recent remarks about Taiwan were also like that. However, many citizens support this “speaking in one’s own words” style. Many opinions say, “Much better than politicians whose thoughts are unclear.” Ms. Takaichi also has her own YouTube channel, and has been communicating in her own words for several years. You can clearly understand her way of thinking and what she thinks. Ms. Takaichi reportedly does not have evening dinners. Previous prime ministers often had evening dinners. A dinner meeting means discussing while having a meal together. Politicians used dinner meetings to gather information. This was a tradition in Japanese politics. However, Ms. Takaichi is different. It is said that she goes home immediately after work. And she continues to work at home. She does not rely on faction politics or evening socializing. Her focus on practical work is evident. Before Ms. Takaichi became Prime Minister, there was a major change. That was the dissolution of the coalition with the Komeito Party. First, let me explain about coalition governments. In the Japanese parliament, a majority is needed to pass laws. A majority means more than half. The Liberal Democratic Party is the largest party, but it cannot achieve a majority alone. Therefore, it is necessary to cooperate with other parties. This is called a “coalition government.” Since 1999, the Liberal Democratic Party had formed a coalition with the Komeito Party. In other words, they had governed together for over 25 years. What kind of party is the Komeito Party? The Komeito Party is backed by the religious organization Soka Gakkai. Politically, it is said to be more “centrist” than the Liberal Democratic Party. “Centrist” means neither right nor left, but in the middle. It is committed to welfare policies and has a pacifist tendency. In 2025, the LDP lost a significant number of seats. After that, the LDP held a leadership election. Ms. Takaichi was elected as the new leader. However, the Komeito Party refused to continue the coalition with Ms. Takaichi. The reason was the handling of a political funding scandal. Some LDP members had caused problems related to political funding. The Komeito Party criticized, saying “the LDP’s response is insufficient.” However, this is said to be less due to the LDP and more because it was difficult to partner with the conservative Ms. Takaichi. And they dissolved the coalition that had lasted over 25 years. Personally, I felt uncomfortable with a particular religious organization being part of the ruling party, so I think this dissolution was good. And many citizens also support this dissolution. This was a major change for Japanese politics. The LDP needed to find a new partner. Therefore, they decided to form a coalition with the Japan Innovation Party. Let me explain about the Japan Innovation Party. The Innovation Party is a strong party centered in Osaka. In 2012, it was founded under the leadership of Mr. Toru Hashimoto. The Innovation Party is a party that emphasizes “reform.” In 2012, it was founded under the leadership of Mr. Toru Hashimoto. The Innovation Party is a party that emphasizes “reform.” There is a slogan: “Break vested interests.” Vested interests refer to special benefits or advantageous positions already held by certain people or groups. Politically, it is more “conservative” than the Komeito Party. There are many areas where it shares ideas with the LDP. However, it also advocates “self-cutting reforms.” “Self-cutting reform” means that politicians themselves must first save. It involves reducing the number of lawmakers and cutting their salaries. The LDP and the Innovation Party formed a coalition government. However, the Innovation Party chose the form of “outside cabinet cooperation.” “Outside cabinet cooperation” means cooperating without sending ministers. The coalition agreement includes several commitments. First, it aims to reduce the number of lawmakers. The goal is to reduce the number of House of Representatives members by 10%. Next, they promised to create a “Spy Prevention Law.” A spy is a person who steals secret information. Currently, Japan has no law to regulate spies. They are trying to create one. They also agreed to cooperate on constitutional amendments. In particular, they seem to aim to create an “emergency provisions” clause. Under the coalition with Komeito, constitutional amendments were difficult to advance. That is because Komeito was cautious about constitutional amendments. In the coalition with the Innovation Party, conservative policies became easier to advance. This is a major feature of the Takaichi administration. Next, let’s look at the approval rating of the Takaichi Cabinet. Approval rating is a number that shows whether citizens support a government. The Takaichi Cabinet’s approval rating is very high. It varies by survey, but it is around 60% to 80%. This is the highest since the Koizumi Cabinet in 2001. Particularly interesting is the high support from young people. Surveys show that Generation Z, that is young people, have support rates exceeding 90%. Why is support from young people so high? One reason is social media. As mentioned earlier, Mr. Takaichi’s videos are often seen on YouTube and social media. His “speaking in his own words” style is popular among young people. There are also many comments saying, “Mr. Takaichi’s answers are refreshing.” Another reason is that she is the first female Prime Minister. It is attracting attention as a historical event. Even people who were not interested in politics are paying attention. As soon as Mr. Takaichi became Prime Minister, there was a major event. U.S. President Trump came to Japan. This did not happen during former Prime Minister Ishiba’s time. Ms. Takaichi held a Japan-U.S. summit just one week after becoming Prime Minister. A summit is when the leaders of countries meet and discuss. This summit seems to have gone very well. President Trump praised Ms. Takaichi, saying she will become a “great Prime Minister.” He also said, “This woman is a winner.” The two also visited the U.S. military base in Yokosuka together. They gave a joint speech on the U.S. aircraft carrier “George Washington.” President Trump called Ms. Takaichi “a very close friend.” He also said he wanted her to call him anytime. The relationship between Japan and the United States is very good. Next is a slightly difficult topic. But it is very important, so I will explain. Ms. Takaichi spoke about Taiwan in the National Diet. China claims that “Taiwan is part of China.” But Taiwan has an independent government. What would happen if China attacked Taiwan? This is called a “Taiwan contingency.” A “contingency” means that war or a crisis occurs. Here, I will accurately explain the actual questions and answers. On November 7, at the House of Representatives Budget Committee, Katsuya Okada of the Constitutional Democratic Party asked a question. The Constitutional Democratic Party is an opposition party. An opposition party is a party that does not hold power. The Constitutional Democratic Party is “liberal-leaning,” in other words, a “left-leaning” party. Mr. Okada’s question was as follows: “If the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines is blocked, does it become a situation threatening Japan’s existence?” “If circumvented, it would only take a few extra days, right?” “In what situations does it become a situation threatening Japan’s existence?” In other words, Mr. Okada asked specific questions. In response, Ms. Takaichi answered as follows. “A military attack occurs against Taiwan” “A naval blockade is carried out by warships” “The U.S. military comes to resolve it” “Military force is used to attack the U.S. forces” “In such a situation, it could become a situation threatening Japan’s existence” Takachi-san answered the scenario that was asked Some Japanese and foreign media seem to report that the Taiwan contingency could itself become a situation threatening Japan’s existence, “If U.S. forces are attacked” is omitted. Let me explain the situation threatening Japan’s existence. This is a term created by the 2015 Security-Related Laws. It refers to a state in which Japan’s existence is threatened. In this state, Japan can use the Self-Defense Forces. This is called “collective self-defense.” In other words, this time it means that what had been decided by law until now, It means that the Prime Minister expressed it in the National Diet. However, China strongly opposed this statement. The Chinese Consul General used very extreme words on social media. They posted, “I will cut off the dirty head.” This was an overly extreme statement for a diplomat. This post was later deleted. However, the Chinese government is demanding, “Withdraw the statement.” It is also affecting Chinese people’s travel to Japan. Here is an important point. Let’s think about how the media reports. Many media reported that Ms. Takaichi made a statement that went further on her own initiative. Many reports had the tone that she “broke the strategic ambiguity maintained by previous prime ministers.” But in reality, Mr. Okada repeatedly asked specific questions. Ms. Takaichi explained, “I answered because I was asked.” Also, a former Self-Defense Force officer said, “It is just a normal simulation.” A current Defense Ministry official also said, “The content of the response itself is not wrong.” When watching the news, it is also important to check “who asked what.” Also, it is important to know “which media is reporting.” Japanese media have various tendencies. Asahi Shimbun and Mainichi Shimbun are said to lean “liberal.” Yomiuri Shimbun and Sankei Shimbun are said to lean “conservative.” Even for the same event, the way it is reported may differ. Comparing various media allows for more accurate understanding. Ms. Takaichi did not retract her statement. The Japanese government explained, “We have not changed the previous government’s policy.” Ms. Takaichi also said, “It is my responsibility to build good relations through dialogue.” This issue is still ongoing. However, in public opinion polls, few people thought Ms. Takaichi’s statement was “a problem.” In a Mainichi Shimbun survey, only 25% said “there was a problem.” 50% said, “I don’t think there was a problem.” In a survey by Sankei Shimbun, 61% answered “appropriate.” Voices of support have come from Taiwan. The President of Taiwan posted a photo eating Japanese scallops and yellowtail. This is meant to support Japan against pressure from China. Next is the economic topic. Ms. Takaichi advocates “expansionary fiscal policy.” Expansionary fiscal policy is the idea that the government should spend a lot of money to improve the economy. The opposite idea is “austerity.” Austerity is the idea of reducing government spending. Even among economists, opinions seem divided on which is correct. Generally, conservatives tend to support austerity. But Ms. Takaichi is a conservative, yet she supports expansionary fiscal policy. This is an idea close to former Prime Minister Abe’s “Abenomics.” Ms. Takaichi decided on a 21.3 trillion yen economic stimulus. 21 trillion yen is a very large amount. This economic measure includes various elements. First, the gasoline tax will be reduced. The provisional tax rate will be abolished. In addition, measures will address the “income cap” issue. The “income cap” refers to a tax issue for working people. This revision will result in 1.2 trillion yen in annual tax cuts. Families with children will receive 20,000 yen per child. I also have children, so I’m happy about this benefit. There are also subsidies for electricity and gas bills. Ms. Takaichi says, “We must not weaken the nation with austerity.” Her idea is “Strengthen the nation through proactive fiscal policy.” Now, let’s summarize today’s content. In the first month of the Takaichi administration, many things happened. First, attention to Japanese politics is increasing. YouTube clips of parliamentary sessions are being watched a lot. Young people are also beginning to take interest in politics. This is a good change. Next, the coalition with Komeito ended. A relationship that lasted over 25 years has ended. Instead, a new coalition was formed with the Japan Innovation Party. This has made it easier for conservative policies to move forward. The approval rating is very high. It is a historic level, ranging from 60% to 80%. Support is especially high among young people. Ms. Takaichi has a different style from past prime ministers. She does not just read papers written by bureaucrats but speaks with her own thoughts. This is one reason for her popularity. Japan–US relations are good. She is building a good relationship with President Trump. Her remarks on Taiwan worsened relations with China. But this is also the result of answering a question. Media reports and the actual circumstances sometimes differ. When watching the news, it is important to check the overall context. Ms. Takaichi has not changed her beliefs. In economic policy, a major 21-trillion-yen measure was decided. They aim to improve the economy through active fiscal policy. Let’s continue to pay attention to the movements of the Takaichi administration. That’s all for today’s video. How was it? Japanese politics has many difficult terms. This time, I will list the difficult terms used in the comments section. Please take a look. If this video was helpful, please press the like button. Please also subscribe to the channel. Well then, see you in the next video. Bye-bye! Hello everyone, this is Yosuke. Thank you for watching the video today as well. This time, I would like to introduce Japanese news in easy Japanese. Today’s theme is “One Month of the Takaichi Administration.” Ms. Takaichi is the first female Prime Minister in Japan. She became Prime Minister on October 21, 2025. About one month has passed since then. What has happened in this month? Let’s take a look together! Recently, an interesting phenomenon has been happening in Japan. Young people are beginning to take interest in politics. On YouTube, try searching for “Parliament highlights.” Many videos will appear. This is a short edited video of questions and answers in the Diet. This is being watched a lot. Why is it so popular? The Prime Minister of Japan answers questions in the Diet. Diet members ask questions, and ministers or the Prime Minister answer. This answer is called “tōben” (official response). Tōben (official responses) are very important. Because a tōben becomes the “official view of the government.” Later, it will be checked: “At that time, you said this, right?” Therefore, politicians are very careful with their answers. At this time, many prime ministers read from papers. These papers are written by bureaucrats. Bureaucrats are public officials who work for the government. Bureaucrats check laws and past answers to prepare a “safe” response. Therefore, many prime ministers’ responses are similar. “We will judge based on each specific situation.” “We will respond after comprehensive consideration.” These kinds of phrases are often used. They use vague words and do not speak clearly. But Ms. Takaichi often speaks in her own words. She doesn’t just read the papers written by bureaucrats. She clearly expresses her own thoughts in response to questions. That is why she is popular in YouTube clips. Because people can understand what she is saying. Even on X, parliamentary topics are trending more often. Even young people who “weren’t interested in politics” have started watching. This may be a good change for Japanese politics. In a democracy, it is very important for citizens to take an interest in politics. Before getting into the main topic, I will explain some important terms. In political discussions, the terms “right-wing” and “left-wing” often appear. This represents the differences in political thinking. First, let me explain “right-wing.” Right-wing is also called “conservative.” Conservatives value tradition and culture. They place importance on protecting their country. They believe the government should interfere less in the economy. Many support strengthening defense capabilities. Next, let me explain “left-wing.” Left-wing is also called “liberal” or “progressive.” Liberals value social equality. They place importance on improving welfare and social security. They try to solve problems through diplomacy rather than military means. Many are also enthusiastic about environmental issues. However, this is a rough categorization. Actual politicians are more complex. Some people are “right-wing economically but left-wing on social issues.” Ms. Takaichi is known as a “conservative” politician. She is said to have similar views to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Knowing this background makes the news easier to understand. Earlier, I mentioned that Ms. Takaichi speaks clearly about her views. This has both positive and challenging aspects. The positive aspect is that it is easy for citizens to understand. You can clearly understand what they are thinking. The challenging aspect is that it can become a diplomatic issue. The recent remarks about Taiwan were also like that. However, many citizens support this “speaking in one’s own words” style. Many opinions say, “Much better than politicians whose thoughts are unclear.” Ms. Takaichi also has her own YouTube channel, and has been communicating in her own words for several years. You can clearly understand her way of thinking and what she thinks. Ms. Takaichi reportedly does not have evening dinners. Previous prime ministers often had evening dinners. A dinner meeting means discussing while having a meal together. Politicians used dinner meetings to gather information. This was a tradition in Japanese politics. However, Ms. Takaichi is different. It is said that she goes home immediately after work. And she continues to work at home. She does not rely on faction politics or evening socializing. Her focus on practical work is evident. Before Ms. Takaichi became Prime Minister, there was a major change. That was the dissolution of the coalition with the Komeito Party. First, let me explain about coalition governments. In the Japanese parliament, a majority is needed to pass laws. A majority means more than half. The Liberal Democratic Party is the largest party, but it cannot achieve a majority alone. Therefore, it is necessary to cooperate with other parties. This is called a “coalition government.” Since 1999, the Liberal Democratic Party had formed a coalition with the Komeito Party. In other words, they had governed together for over 25 years. What kind of party is the Komeito Party? The Komeito Party is backed by the religious organization Soka Gakkai. Politically, it is said to be more “centrist” than the Liberal Democratic Party. “Centrist” means neither right nor left, but in the middle. It is committed to welfare policies and has a pacifist tendency. In 2025, the LDP lost a significant number of seats. After that, the LDP held a leadership election. Ms. Takaichi was elected as the new leader. However, the Komeito Party refused to continue the coalition with Ms. Takaichi. The reason was the handling of a political funding scandal. Some LDP members had caused problems related to political funding. The Komeito Party criticized, saying “the LDP’s response is insufficient.” However, this is said to be less due to the LDP and more because it was difficult to partner with the conservative Ms. Takaichi. And they dissolved the coalition that had lasted over 25 years. Personally, I felt uncomfortable with a particular religious organization being part of the ruling party, so I think this dissolution was good. And many citizens also support this dissolution. This was a major change for Japanese politics. The LDP needed to find a new partner. Therefore, they decided to form a coalition with the Japan Innovation Party. Let me explain about the Japan Innovation Party. The Innovation Party is a strong party centered in Osaka. In 2012, it was founded under the leadership of Mr. Toru Hashimoto. The Innovation Party is a party that emphasizes “reform.” In 2012, it was founded under the leadership of Mr. Toru Hashimoto. The Innovation Party is a party that emphasizes “reform.” There is a slogan: “Break vested interests.” Vested interests refer to special benefits or advantageous positions already held by certain people or groups. Politically, it is more “conservative” than the Komeito Party. There are many areas where it shares ideas with the LDP. However, it also advocates “self-cutting reforms.” “Self-cutting reform” means that politicians themselves must first save. It involves reducing the number of lawmakers and cutting their salaries. The LDP and the Innovation Party formed a coalition government. However, the Innovation Party chose the form of “outside cabinet cooperation.” “Outside cabinet cooperation” means cooperating without sending ministers. The coalition agreement includes several commitments. First, it aims to reduce the number of lawmakers. The goal is to reduce the number of House of Representatives members by 10%. Next, they promised to create a “Spy Prevention Law.” A spy is a person who steals secret information. Currently, Japan has no law to regulate spies. They are trying to create one. They also agreed to cooperate on constitutional amendments. In particular, they seem to aim to create an “emergency provisions” clause. Under the coalition with Komeito, constitutional amendments were difficult to advance. That is because Komeito was cautious about constitutional amendments. In the coalition with the Innovation Party, conservative policies became easier to advance. This is a major feature of the Takaichi administration. Next, let’s look at the approval rating of the Takaichi Cabinet. Approval rating is a number that shows whether citizens support a government. The Takaichi Cabinet’s approval rating is very high. It varies by survey, but it is around 60% to 80%. This is the highest since the Koizumi Cabinet in 2001. Particularly interesting is the high support from young people. Surveys show that Generation Z, that is young people, have support rates exceeding 90%. Why is support from young people so high? One reason is social media. As mentioned earlier, Mr. Takaichi’s videos are often seen on YouTube and social media. His “speaking in his own words” style is popular among young people. There are also many comments saying, “Mr. Takaichi’s answers are refreshing.” Another reason is that she is the first female Prime Minister. It is attracting attention as a historical event. Even people who were not interested in politics are paying attention. As soon as Mr. Takaichi became Prime Minister, there was a major event. U.S. President Trump came to Japan. This did not happen during former Prime Minister Ishiba’s time. Ms. Takaichi held a Japan-U.S. summit just one week after becoming Prime Minister. A summit is when the leaders of countries meet and discuss. This summit seems to have gone very well. President Trump praised Ms. Takaichi, saying she will become a “great Prime Minister.” He also said, “This woman is a winner.” The two also visited the U.S. military base in Yokosuka together. They gave a joint speech on the U.S. aircraft carrier “George Washington.” President Trump called Ms. Takaichi “a very close friend.” He also said he wanted her to call him anytime. The relationship between Japan and the United States is very good. Next is a slightly difficult topic. But it is very important, so I will explain. Ms. Takaichi spoke about Taiwan in the National Diet. China claims that “Taiwan is part of China.” But Taiwan has an independent government. What would happen if China attacked Taiwan? This is called a “Taiwan contingency.” A “contingency” means that war or a crisis occurs. Here, I will accurately explain the actual questions and answers. On November 7, at the House of Representatives Budget Committee, Katsuya Okada of the Constitutional Democratic Party asked a question. The Constitutional Democratic Party is an opposition party. An opposition party is a party that does not hold power. The Constitutional Democratic Party is “liberal-leaning,” in other words, a “left-leaning” party. Mr. Okada’s question was as follows: “If the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines is blocked, does it become a situation threatening Japan’s existence?” “If circumvented, it would only take a few extra days, right?” “In what situations does it become a situation threatening Japan’s existence?” In other words, Mr. Okada asked specific questions. In response, Ms. Takaichi answered as follows. “A military attack occurs against Taiwan” “A naval blockade is carried out by warships” “The U.S. military comes to resolve it” “Military force is used to attack the U.S. forces” “In such a situation, it could become a situation threatening Japan’s existence” Takachi-san answered the scenario that was asked Some Japanese and foreign media seem to report that the Taiwan contingency could itself become a situation threatening Japan’s existence, “If U.S. forces are attacked” is omitted. Let me explain the situation threatening Japan’s existence. This is a term created by the 2015 Security-Related Laws. It refers to a state in which Japan’s existence is threatened. In this state, Japan can use the Self-Defense Forces. This is called “collective self-defense.” In other words, this time it means that what had been decided by law until now, It means that the Prime Minister expressed it in the National Diet. However, China strongly opposed this statement. The Chinese Consul General used very extreme words on social media. They posted, “I will cut off the dirty head.” This was an overly extreme statement for a diplomat. This post was later deleted. However, the Chinese government is demanding, “Withdraw the statement.” It is also affecting Chinese people’s travel to Japan. Here is an important point. Let’s think about how the media reports. Many media reported that Ms. Takaichi made a statement that went further on her own initiative. Many reports had the tone that she “broke the strategic ambiguity maintained by previous prime ministers.” But in reality, Mr. Okada repeatedly asked specific questions. Ms. Takaichi explained, “I answered because I was asked.” Also, a former Self-Defense Force officer said, “It is just a normal simulation.” A current Defense Ministry official also said, “The content of the response itself is not wrong.” When watching the news, it is also important to check “who asked what.” Also, it is important to know “which media is reporting.” Japanese media have various tendencies. Asahi Shimbun and Mainichi Shimbun are said to lean “liberal.” Yomiuri Shimbun and Sankei Shimbun are said to lean “conservative.” Even for the same event, the way it is reported may differ. Comparing various media allows for more accurate understanding. Ms. Takaichi did not retract her statement. The Japanese government explained, “We have not changed the previous government’s policy.” Ms. Takaichi also said, “It is my responsibility to build good relations through dialogue.” This issue is still ongoing. However, in public opinion polls, few people thought Ms. Takaichi’s statement was “a problem.” In a Mainichi Shimbun survey, only 25% said “there was a problem.” 50% said, “I don’t think there was a problem.” In a survey by Sankei Shimbun, 61% answered “appropriate.” Voices of support have come from Taiwan. The President of Taiwan posted a photo eating Japanese scallops and yellowtail. This is meant to support Japan against pressure from China. Next is the economic topic. Ms. Takaichi advocates “expansionary fiscal policy.” Expansionary fiscal policy is the idea that the government should spend a lot of money to improve the economy. The opposite idea is “austerity.” Austerity is the idea of reducing government spending. Even among economists, opinions seem divided on which is correct. Generally, conservatives tend to support austerity. But Ms. Takaichi is a conservative, yet she supports expansionary fiscal policy. This is an idea close to former Prime Minister Abe’s “Abenomics.” Ms. Takaichi decided on a 21.3 trillion yen economic stimulus. 21 trillion yen is a very large amount. This economic measure includes various elements. First, the gasoline tax will be reduced. The provisional tax rate will be abolished. In addition, measures will address the “income cap” issue. The “income cap” refers to a tax issue for working people. This revision will result in 1.2 trillion yen in annual tax cuts. Families with children will receive 20,000 yen per child. I also have children, so I’m happy about this benefit. There are also subsidies for electricity and gas bills. Ms. Takaichi says, “We must not weaken the nation with austerity.” Her idea is “Strengthen the nation through proactive fiscal policy.” Now, let’s summarize today’s content. In the first month of the Takaichi administration, many things happened. First, attention to Japanese politics is increasing. YouTube clips of parliamentary sessions are being watched a lot. Young people are also beginning to take interest in politics. This is a good change. Next, the coalition with Komeito ended. A relationship that lasted over 25 years has ended. Instead, a new coalition was formed with the Japan Innovation Party. This has made it easier for conservative policies to move forward. The approval rating is very high. It is a historic level, ranging from 60% to 80%. Support is especially high among young people. Ms. Takaichi has a different style from past prime ministers. She does not just read papers written by bureaucrats but speaks with her own thoughts. This is one reason for her popularity. Japan–US relations are good. She is building a good relationship with President Trump. Her remarks on Taiwan worsened relations with China. But this is also the result of answering a question. Media reports and the actual circumstances sometimes differ. When watching the news, it is important to check the overall context. Ms. Takaichi has not changed her beliefs. In economic policy, a major 21-trillion-yen measure was decided. They aim to improve the economy through active fiscal policy. Let’s continue to pay attention to the movements of the Takaichi administration. That’s all for today’s video. How was it? Japanese politics has many difficult terms. This time, I will list the difficult terms used in the comments section. Please take a look. If this video was helpful, please press the like button. Please also subscribe to the channel. Well then, see you in the next video. Bye-bye!

Sanae Takaichi has become Japan’s first female Prime Minister.
With sky-high approval ratings and a direct speaking style that rejects bureaucratic scripts, she is changing Japanese politics.
Find out why she’s captivating the younger generation.

【Onikanji】https://onikanji.com/?ref=yosuketeachesjapanese&utm_source=referral&campaign=youtube

OniKanji makes kanji learning fun and easy with real-life examples and interactive practice!
It currently offers 660 kanji, with plans to expand to 2,136—covering all essential characters!

Your support allows me to dedicate more time to creating new videos!
I’ll continue to work hard to make helpful videos for everyone, so please keep supporting me!
patreon.com/YosukeTeachesJapanese

This video will help you practice Japanese shadowing and listening comprehension using simple Japanese.
・You can display subtitles by pressing the subtitle button.
・Don’t forget to click the good button and subscribe!
If you subscribe, we can create more easy Japanese videos for you.

Thank you so much for supporting my channel!

・Time stamp
00:00:00 Introduction
00:03:31 Political Stance
00:07:30 New Coalition
00:13:30 Approval Ratings
00:15:05 Diplomacy
00:23:06 Economic Policy
00:25:20 Summary & Ending

【Without Furigana】
00:28:01 Introduction
00:31:33 Political Stance
00:35:31 New Coalition
00:41:31 Approval Ratings
00:43:05 Diplomacy
00:51:08 Economic Policy
00:53:21 Summary & Ending

Hi, I’m Yosuke. I am a Japanese native, born and currently living in Japan.
I create videos aimed at helping people who want to learn Japanese in an easy and efficient manner.

#jlpt
#kanji
#japaneselistening
#learnJapanese