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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.

Germany

Germany, Japan to unblock oil reserves as G7 stands ‘ready’ to act

The latest announcement came as G7 leaders were set to discuss the widespread economic fallout from the US-Israeli war with Iran.

1 minute agovideocam

Japan

Japan to release oil reserves as early as Monday

15 minutes agovideocam

Japan

Japan struggles with rising maintenance costs 15 years after Fukushima disaster

11 Mar 2026 - 9:27AMvideocam

US-China relations

From ‘love and hate’ to nationalism, can Xi and Trump rebalance ties?

Chinese scholars say the US-China relationship has changed, and there’s a chance for the two powers to steer away from confrontation.

11 Mar 2026 - 12:58AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump is expected to visit Beijing and meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the end of the month. Photo: TNS

Two Sessions 2026

Editorial | High-level US-China dialogue is good for global stability

Foreign Minister Wang Yi has suggested the Trump-Xi summit is still on track and Beijing’s commitment to diplomacy is clear in budget allocations.

10 Mar 2026 - 7:15AM

US, Israel war on Iran

G7 to discuss possible emergency release of oil reserves: French president

Concern is rising about the war and Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which much of the world’s energy supplies pass.

9 Mar 2026 - 8:27PMvideocam

US-China relations

Taiwan tensions No 1 in Beijing’s top 10 geopolitical risks of 2026: think tank

Most consequential external security variable may be uncertainty in the US ahead of the midterm elections in November, report warns.

9 Mar 2026 - 3:42PMvideocam

A report has identified escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait as the most pressing external security concern for Beijing. Photo: AP

Two Sessions 2026

Wang Yi warns Japan on Taiwan ‘red line’, dashing hopes of ending diplomatic row

Invoking the legacy of WWII resistance, top diplomat cautions Tokyo against interfering in China’s affairs.

8 Mar 2026 - 7:51PMvideocam

Two Sessions 2026

Takeaways from Foreign Minister Wang Yi at China’s ‘two sessions’

Opinion | Japan’s rightward shift puts it on a collision course with China

Any attempt by the Takaichi administration to revise the constitution and re-arm the country will ignite fierce opposition from Beijing.

2 Mar 2026 - 9:08AMvideocam

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi answers questions during a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on February 24. Photo: AFP

China's military weapons

What will first Type 055 destroyers for PLA East China Fleet mean for Taiwan?

Two of the guided-missile destroyers with hull numbers assigned have been spotted at a naval base on the East China Sea coast.

1 Mar 2026 - 8:00PM

China’s Type 055 destroyer, designated “Renhai-class” by Nato, is a cruiser-sized vessel with robust air defence, anti-submarine and surface warfare capabilities. Photo: Handout

Japan

Macroscope | Why Japan should push back on Trump’s investment demands

Trump’s use of tariff threats to strong-arm foreign governments, companies and investors into funding US projects should be resisted.

28 Feb 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

Japan

Japan’s PM revives push to criminalise defacing national flag

It is already a crime to damage a foreign flag in Japan. Now, emboldened by a massive election win, the PM wants to protect her own.

26 Feb 2026 - 9:30AM

Japan

Japan’s Takaichi defends US$190 election gifts to ruling party lawmakers

The revelation that 315 MPs were asked to pick items from a gift catalogue evokes a slush-fund scandal that engulfed the party in 2023.

25 Feb 2026 - 1:40PMvideocam

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a House of Representatives plenary session to answer questions from opposition leaders on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Singapore

Singapore prime minister attacked by hundreds of Chinese-language fake AI videos

The videos targeting Lawrence Wong spread false narratives about his leadership being under threat and political infighting in Singapore.

25 Feb 2026 - 9:31AMvideocam

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong takes part in the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur in October 2025. Photo: dpa

Performing arts in Hong Kong

Review | Trump is abducted by aliens and has Chinese ‘twin’ in chaotic Cantonese opera

Showing in Hong Kong, Trump on Show 4.0 combines political satire and surreal Sino-US commentary but feels like a ‘paper tiger’ with no bite.

24 Feb 2026 - 6:15PM

China travel

‘Chinese everywhere’: why tourists ditch Tokyo for Seoul as Japan ties sour

Diplomatic row with Japan sent more Chinese travellers packing for Korea, filling its hotels over the nine-day holiday and offering relief to a sluggish domestic economy.

24 Feb 2026 - 4:35PMvideocam

China-Japan relations

China adds Japanese entities to export control list, turning up heat on Tokyo

Beijing has also added 20 Japanese firms and institutions to a watch list for the export of goods with potential military applications.

24 Feb 2026 - 5:55PMvideocam

Japan

Japan’s ‘Traitor Takaichi’ hit with online smear campaign using fake accounts

Using AI-generated images and simplified Chinese characters, a network of 3,000 fake accounts reportedly tried to sway Japan’s election.

23 Feb 2026 - 6:18PMvideocam

Japan

Macroscope | Why the IMF is right to press Japan on its fiscal risks

The fiscal and monetary policies of advanced economies have global repercussions, and Takaichi’s expansionary fiscal agenda risks market pushback.

21 Feb 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

China-Japan relations

What next for China ties as Japan’s Takaichi targets Chinese ‘coercion’?

Japan facing ‘most severe and complex’ security scenario since World War II, prime minister says.

21 Feb 2026 - 3:30PMvideocam

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addresses parliament in Tokyo on Friday. Photo: AP

Hong Kong society

Attack on Hong Kong man in Sapporo caused by ‘dining etiquette’ dispute

Incident has already prompted Chinese consulate to warn nationals against travel to Japan, amid heightened tensions between Tokyo and Beijing.

20 Feb 2026 - 5:12PM

Sapporo is a popular winter holiday destination and hosts a world-famous annual snow festival in February. Photo: Getty Images

Japan

Takaichi vows to make Japan ‘strong’, says no to ‘reckless’ fiscal policy

The prime minister said Tokyo was facing ‘the most severe and complex security environment’ since World War II, citing China and Russia.

20 Feb 2026 - 3:05PMvideocam

Japan

Japan’s Takaichi pushes to scrap food tax, ignoring economists’ warnings

The newly reappointed prime minister is gambling 5 trillion yen a year on a popular election promise that could backfire badly.

20 Feb 2026 - 9:30AM

Hong Kong politics

Protect Hongkongers in Japan, authorities urge Tokyo after tourist attacked

Concerns over attack on resident in Sapporo amid tense relations between China and Japan over Sanae Takaichi’s Taiwan comments.

19 Feb 2026 - 9:27PM

Travellers cross the road in Sapporo. Photo: Kyodo

China-Japan relations

Tokyo involvement in Taiwan would amount to aggression against Beijing: UN envoy

Fu Cong, permanent representative to the United Nations, warns of a resolute retaliation if Japan intervenes militarily on the issue.

19 Feb 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

Fu Cong (centre), China’s permanent representative to the UN, addresses the Security Council on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong society

Japan travel warning after Hongkonger beaten with beer bottle in Sapporo

Visitor beaten on head at a restaurant in the Japanese city, Chinese consulate says.

19 Feb 2026 - 11:05PMvideocam

Japan

Chinese tourist arrivals to Japan plunge 41% in January amid simmering tensions

Impact ripples through Japan’s retail sector, with falling duty-free sales at top department stores highlighting the pain for the industry.

18 Feb 2026 - 4:35PMvideocam

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Sanae Takaichi

(高市早苗)

Germany, Japan to unblock oil reserves as G7 stands ‘ready’ to act

The latest announcement came as G7 leaders were set to discuss the widespread economic fallout from the US-Israeli war with Iran.

Japan to release oil reserves as early as Monday

Japan struggles with rising maintenance costs 15 years after Fukushima disaster

From ‘love and hate’ to nationalism, can Xi and Trump rebalance ties?

Chinese scholars say the US-China relationship has changed, and there’s a chance for the two powers to steer away from confrontation.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Editorial | High-level US-China dialogue is good for global stability

Foreign Minister Wang Yi has suggested the Trump-Xi summit is still on track and Beijing’s commitment to diplomacy is clear in budget allocations.

G7 to discuss possible emergency release of oil reserves: French president

Concern is rising about the war and Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which much of the world’s energy supplies pass.

Taiwan tensions No 1 in Beijing’s top 10 geopolitical risks of 2026: think tank

Most consequential external security variable may be uncertainty in the US ahead of the midterm elections in November, report warns.

Wang Yi warns Japan on Taiwan ‘red line’, dashing hopes of ending diplomatic row

Invoking the legacy of WWII resistance, top diplomat cautions Tokyo against interfering in China’s affairs.

Takeaways from Foreign Minister Wang Yi at China’s ‘two sessions’

Top diplomat addresses questions on US ties, the Iran crisis, South China Sea disputes and Beijing’s vision for a multipolar world order.

Opinion | Japan’s rightward shift puts it on a collision course with China

Any attempt by the Takaichi administration to revise the constitution and re-arm the country will ignite fierce opposition from Beijing.

What will first Type 055 destroyers for PLA East China Fleet mean for Taiwan?

Two of the guided-missile destroyers with hull numbers assigned have been spotted at a naval base on the East China Sea coast.

Macroscope | Why Japan should push back on Trump’s investment demands

Trump’s use of tariff threats to strong-arm foreign governments, companies and investors into funding US projects should be resisted.

Japan’s PM revives push to criminalise defacing national flag

It is already a crime to damage a foreign flag in Japan. Now, emboldened by a massive election win, the PM wants to protect her own.

Japan’s Takaichi defends US$190 election gifts to ruling party lawmakers

The revelation that 315 MPs were asked to pick items from a gift catalogue evokes a slush-fund scandal that engulfed the party in 2023.

Singapore prime minister attacked by hundreds of Chinese-language fake AI videos

The videos targeting Lawrence Wong spread false narratives about his leadership being under threat and political infighting in Singapore.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Review | Trump is abducted by aliens and has Chinese ‘twin’ in chaotic Cantonese opera

Showing in Hong Kong, Trump on Show 4.0 combines political satire and surreal Sino-US commentary but feels like a ‘paper tiger’ with no bite.

‘Chinese everywhere’: why tourists ditch Tokyo for Seoul as Japan ties sour

Diplomatic row with Japan sent more Chinese travellers packing for Korea, filling its hotels over the nine-day holiday and offering relief to a sluggish domestic economy.

China adds Japanese entities to export control list, turning up heat on Tokyo

Beijing has also added 20 Japanese firms and institutions to a watch list for the export of goods with potential military applications.

Japan’s ‘Traitor Takaichi’ hit with online smear campaign using fake accounts

Using AI-generated images and simplified Chinese characters, a network of 3,000 fake accounts reportedly tried to sway Japan’s election.

Macroscope | Why the IMF is right to press Japan on its fiscal risks

The fiscal and monetary policies of advanced economies have global repercussions, and Takaichi’s expansionary fiscal agenda risks market pushback.

What next for China ties as Japan’s Takaichi targets Chinese ‘coercion’?

Japan facing ‘most severe and complex’ security scenario since World War II, prime minister says.

Attack on Hong Kong man in Sapporo caused by ‘dining etiquette’ dispute

Incident has already prompted Chinese consulate to warn nationals against travel to Japan, amid heightened tensions between Tokyo and Beijing.

Takaichi vows to make Japan ‘strong’, says no to ‘reckless’ fiscal policy

The prime minister said Tokyo was facing ‘the most severe and complex security environment’ since World War II, citing China and Russia.

Japan’s Takaichi pushes to scrap food tax, ignoring economists’ warnings

The newly reappointed prime minister is gambling 5 trillion yen a year on a popular election promise that could backfire badly.

Protect Hongkongers in Japan, authorities urge Tokyo after tourist attacked

Concerns over attack on resident in Sapporo amid tense relations between China and Japan over Sanae Takaichi’s Taiwan comments.

Tokyo involvement in Taiwan would amount to aggression against Beijing: UN envoy

Fu Cong, permanent representative to the United Nations, warns of a resolute retaliation if Japan intervenes militarily on the issue.

Japan travel warning after Hongkonger beaten with beer bottle in Sapporo

Visitor beaten on head at a restaurant in the Japanese city, Chinese consulate says.

Chinese tourist arrivals to Japan plunge 41% in January amid simmering tensions

Impact ripples through Japan’s retail sector, with falling duty-free sales at top department stores highlighting the pain for the industry.

Editorial | High-level US-China dialogue is good for global stability

Review | Trump is abducted by aliens and has Chinese ‘twin’ in chaotic Cantonese opera