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Sanae Takaichi

(高市早苗)

Sanae Takaichi

高市早苗

The latest news and top stories on Sanae Takaichi. A long-serving member of the Japanese House of Representatives, she has held numerous significant cabinet roles. Her past positions include Minister of State for Economic Security, Internal Affairs and Communications, Science and Technology Policy, and Youth Affairs and Gender Equality. Known for her staunch conservative views and close alliance with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi has focused on strengthening Japan’s economic security, cybersecurity and national defence. She has also chaired the LDP’s Policy Research Council and recently led a commission on public safety and cybercrime. Takaichi has twice contended for the LDP leadership.

Tourists dressed in traditional Korean hanbok pose for photos at the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. Photo: EPA

China-South Korea relations

‘China (Taiwan)’ on South Korea tourist arrival card prompts protest from Taipei

Move from Seoul comes as Beijing and Tokyo are locked in a diplomatic spat over the Japanese leader’s comments on a Taiwan contingency.

1 hour ago

China-Japan relations

Beijing rebuffs Takaichi, Macron-Xi talks, key economic meeting

3 hours ago

China-Japan relations

Explainer | Why Beijing thinks Japan PM Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks challenge post-war order

48 minutes agovideocam

SCMP Highlights

Chinese boy lost after US detention, helper’s last call in fire: weekly roundup

From the Japanese PM’s latest remarks on Taiwan to a US ambassador coming under fire in Singapore, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

5 Dec 2025 - 1:22PM

Advocacy groups in the US are urging the public to apply pressure on elected officials over concerns for a 6-year-old boy separated from his father by ICE. Photo: Instagram/ immigrationcoalition

Myanmar

Myanmar’s criticism of Takaichi signals ‘loyalty’ to China ahead of election

A junta spokesman slammed the Japanese prime minister’s comments on Taiwan, saying Tokyo had not shown remorse for its ‘crimes’ in Asia.

2 hours agovideocam

Japan

Japan weighs plan to punish sex buyers, but will it be enough?

Experts warn the sex industry will find ways to circumvent new rules and the problem needs to be tackled from various angles simultaneously.

1 hour agovideocam

China-Japan relations

Beijing ‘absolutely does not accept’ Takaichi’s apparent Taiwan climbdown

Takaichi ‘still prevaricating’ by citing 1972 joint communique, Beijing says, urges that she retract wrong remarks ‘accurately and fully’.

5 Dec 2025 - 2:55AMvideocam

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments in November about a Taiwan contingency have triggered a diplomatic crisis with Beijing. Photo: EPA

South Korea

Chinese tourists pivot to South Korea, Thailand amid Japan travel ban

Spat began when Japan’s PM Sanae Takaichi suggested potential military intervention in Taiwan Strait, leading Beijing to issue a travel warning.

4 Dec 2025 - 5:06PM

India

Macroscope | India and Japan show impact of Trump’s tariffs extend beyond trade

While Japan is grappling with acute policy dilemmas and AI bubble fears stalk markets, India seems relatively resilient and forward-looking.

4 Dec 2025 - 5:13PMvideocam

Japan

Bag, pen, workwear: how Takaichi became Japan’s unexpected fashion icon

While the prime minister is known for her extreme work routine, she has also sparked a fashion frenzy among young women in Japan.

4 Dec 2025 - 2:05PMvideocam

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, last month. Photo: AP

Taiwan

Opinion | Why peeling back layers of strategic ambiguity will only hurt Japan

The Japanese prime minister’s remarks are merely ripples that will soon disappear, needlessly inviting the very conflict she says she wants to prevent.

4 Dec 2025 - 10:52AMvideocam

China's military weapons

Is China’s rapid anti-submarine drone progress adding to concerns of Japan, US?

After decades within the confines of the first island chain, the PLA Navy is unveiling a succession of game-changing advances.

3 Dec 2025 - 11:45PMvideocam

China-Russia relations

China, Russia united against ‘Japanese militarism’ as Wang Yi, Shoigu meet

Chinese readout highlights resolve to counter ‘any attempts to revive fascism’ while Kremlin security chief warns of ‘hydra of militarism’.

3 Dec 2025 - 6:26PMvideocam

China’s private sector

US lifts China sentiment, but tensions cloud outlook in Japan: report

Global confidence in China ticked higher in the third quarter, Morgan Stanley says, driven by US companies and policy support in Beijing.

3 Dec 2025 - 5:16PM

Global business sentiment towards China improved in the third quarter of 2025. Photo: Xinhua

China-Japan relations

Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks ‘greatest challenge’ to ties, China’s UN envoy says

Ambassador Fu Cong sends second letter to UN chief insisting Tokyo must retract comments or bear ‘all consequences’.

2 Dec 2025 - 6:49PMvideocam

China escalated its diplomatic offensive against Japan at the United Nations, with ambassador Fu Cong sending a second letter to Secretary General Antonio Guterres about Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan. Photo: Getty Images

China travel

1,900 China-Japan flights cancelled in December as political row continues

Airlines have now scrapped over 40 per cent of their China-Japan flights scheduled for this month amid a diplomatic spat over Taiwan.

2 Dec 2025 - 5:33PMvideocam

China's military weapons

PLA’s drone carrier on fast track to deployment with apparent second sea trial

A vessel believed to be the Sichuan, a key asset for potential amphibious operations against Taiwan, departs Shanghai shipyard.

2 Dec 2025 - 11:00AM

China trade

From immigration to investments: China’s middle class is unwinding bets on Japan

Popular destination for capital feels the chill, with cruise lines cancelling trips, investors selling property and parents questioning if it is safe to send students.

2 Dec 2025 - 10:17AMvideocam

People walk between buildings in Tokyo on November 17. A diplomatic feud between China and Japan is having economic implications. Photo: AFP

China-Japan relations

China bristles as Japan weighs missile export to Philippines

Japan’s possible sale of Type 03 missiles to Manila comes as Tokyo moves to loosen arms-export rules, raising fresh concerns in China.

2 Dec 2025 - 8:42AM

China-Japan relations

Debate and backlash in China after Japanese singer halted mid-show in Shanghai

Chinese commentators and social media users call for discussion around cancelling large concerts at the ‘last minute’.

1 Dec 2025 - 7:20PMvideocam

Japan

Pop-star princess: Japan’s Aiko turns 24 amid calls for her to become empress

The princess’ supporters want Japan to change its male-only succession law but an academic says that is unlikely in the conservative country.

1 Dec 2025 - 10:46AMvideocam

Princess Aiko, daughter of Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, poses for a photo at the Imperial Palace on November 7. Photo: Imperial Household Agency of Japan/AP

US-China relations

Opinion | Trump’s world view offers Beijing a window of opportunity on Taiwan

As the US reframes the dynamics between allies and adversaries, Beijing may see an opportunity to advance its cross-strait goals.

30 Nov 2025 - 8:30PMvideocam

China consumption

Why do Chinese no longer feel the need to boycott Japanese products?

A seismic shift in the market has resulted in people preferring Chinese fashion, locally branded appliances and domestically made cars.

30 Nov 2025 - 4:00PMvideocam

Singapore

Singapore becomes Plan B for Chinese travellers giving Japan a wide berth

Beijing’s call to boycott Japan after Sanae Takaichi’s remarks is benefiting Southeast Asian countries, travel agents say.

30 Nov 2025 - 9:30AM

Japan

Opinion | Why Chinese are cancelling their trips to Japan

The Japanese prime minister crossed a red line and reopened old wounds in employing language that echoed rhetoric used by imperial Japan to justify invasion.

30 Nov 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

Chinese tourists visit the Sensoji temple in the Asakusa district of Tokyo on November 20. Many Chinese have chosen to cancel their trips to Japan after Beijing issued a travel advisory. Photo: AP

China’s military drills

Could the PLA use long-range rockets against ships in an attack on Taiwan?

State TV footage shows PHL-03 launchers hitting moving maritime targets during drill.

29 Nov 2025 - 9:00PMvideocam

Beijing’s long-range rocket launchers can hit moving targets at sea as well as land, according to CCTV. Photo: CCTV

China-Japan relations

What US-Japan military exercises can tell us about their Taiwan conflict plans

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent remarks started a major row with Beijing and shone a fresh spotlight on Japan’s strategic thinking.

29 Nov 2025 - 5:22PMvideocam

China-Japan relations

Ayumi Hamasaki’s Shanghai show cancelled as China-Japan rift widens

The J-pop concert is the latest in a long list of performances and exchanges called off between the two countries.

28 Nov 2025 - 8:40PMvideocam

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