Asia & Pacific

Japan’s New PM Pledges to Boost Defense Ahead of Trump’s Asia Tour

Sanae Takaichi said she plans to talk with Trump about strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance.
Japan’s New PM Pledges to Boost Defense Ahead of Trump’s Asia Tour
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Sanae Takaichi stands up to acknowledge the applause after she was selected as Japan's new prime minister during an extraordinary session of the lower house of parliament in Tokyo on Oct. 21, 2025. Philip Fong/AFP via Getty Images
Evgenia Filimianova
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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has vowed to boost the country’s defense capabilities and revise its security strategy amid rising geopolitical tensions in the region.

Leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Takaichi took office on Oct. 21, becoming Japan’s first female prime minister and forming a coalition government with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party.

Evgenia Filimianova
Evgenia Filimianova
Author
Evgenia Filimianova is a UK-based journalist covering a wide range of international stories, with a particular interest in foreign policy, economy, and UK politics.