ISTANBUL
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Friday reiterated her commitment to building “stable” ties with China, stressing the importance of continued dialogue with Beijing.
Noting China’s “importance as a neighboring country,” Takaichi told parliament that her government “will continue to communicate with China and respond calmly and appropriately from the perspective of our national interests,” according to an official statement.
The 64-year-old leader was delivering her maiden policy speech to lawmakers after being reelected earlier this week as Japan’s 105th prime minister.
Her Liberal Democratic Party won a landslide victory in the snap elections held on Feb. 8.
Takaichi also called for an early end to the Russia-Ukraine war and said Tokyo “will support” Kyiv together with “like-minded countries.”
Describing Japan’s ties with Moscow as facing a “difficult situation,” she said the government’s policy of resolving the territorial issue and concluding a peace treaty “remains unchanged.”
‘Proactive fiscal policy’
Known for her hawkish views, Takaichi renewed her pledge to pursue “responsible and proactive” fiscal policies aimed at boosting growth.
The Takaichi Cabinet “will put an end to the long-standing trend of excessive austerity and insufficient investment in the future,” she said.
She added that her government would fast-track discussions on “burden-reducing measures,” including cutting the consumption tax on food and beverage products.
On national defense, Takaichi said her government would revise Japan’s three key security documents this year, citing “changes in the security environment” that have been “accelerating in various areas.”
She also called for deeper public debate on revising Japan’s war-renouncing constitution.
Takaichi said the US-Japan alliance “is the cornerstone of Japan’s foreign and security policy.”
“If possible, I will visit the United States as early as next month. I will further strengthen the relationship of trust with President Donald Trump and further strengthen Japan-US relations in all areas, including security, economy, and culture,” she said during her nearly 49-minute speech in parliament.