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sanae takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the National Diet in Tokyo on April 17, 2026.
What We're Watching

Japan loosens arms export restrictions, Hungary’s Magyar shows nationalist streak, Trump looks for new friends in Europe

Tokyo announced on Tuesday that it will remove restrictions on arms exports to countries with which it already has defense agreements, escalating its feud with Beijing.

​People inspect the damage at the site of an Israeli strike on Friday, in Bednayel, Bekaa valley, Lebanon, February 21, 2026.
What We're Watching

Israel reportedly warns Lebanon, China-Japan tiff escalates, Canada says it will give aid to Cuba

Israel indirectly warned Lebanon that it would strike its northern neighbor hard if the Iran-backed militia group Hezbollah gets involved in any future US-Iran conflict, two Lebanese officials told Reuters.

Photo by Kim Kyung-Hoon - Pool/Getty Images
by ian bremmer

Sanae Takaichi has the power to change Japan

When Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called snap elections last month, it was a big gamble. Holding a winter election just four months into her tenure with no real policy record to run on?

​Bad Bunny performs during the Super Bowl halftime show at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California, on Feb. 8, 2026.
Hard Numbers

Bad Bunny steals the show, Hong Kong democracy activist sentenced to 20 years in jail, Japanese markets split on Takaichi’s success, Socialist wins in Portugal

A teenager poses holding a mobile phone as a law banning social media for users under 16 in Australia takes effect, in Sydney, Australia, on December 10, 2025.
Hard Numbers

Hard Numbers: Australia tries to enforce social media ban, Japan’s opposition unites, Millions dodge Ukrainian draft, & More

US President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell at the Federal Reserve Board building in Washington, D.C., USA, on July 24, 2025.
What We're Watching

What We’re Watching: Trump’s DOJ probes Fed’s Powell, Iran cracks down on protestors, Japan’s PM consider snap election

Graphic Truth: Japan set for dramatic population decline
Graphic Truth

Graphic Truth: Japan set for dramatic population decline

The number of Japanese births continues to plunge, and is set to fall short of the government’s most pessimistic targets this year. That will hit the population, and exacerbate the economic challenges that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces.

​Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo, Japan, on December 10, 2025.
Analysis

Japan’s leader has had a tricky start. But the public loves her.

Sanae Takaichi has faced plenty of turbulence in the 50 days since she took office, yet her approval rating is sky-high.

Election Commission candidates' campaign teams canvassing in permitted areas outside the polling station in Hong Kong on December 7, 2025.
Hard Numbers

Hard Numbers: Hong Kong citizens don’t want to vote, Japan-China tensions rise, Art stolen in Brazil & More

​Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi answers a question during a House of Representatives Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Nov. 7, 2025.
Analysis

Japan-China spat over Taiwan escalates

Tensions between Tokyo and Beijing hit a boiling point last Friday after Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested that her country would defend Taiwan if China attacked the island. Tensions have grown since.