“Female Abe” Wants Candid Talks With Xi Jinping — Beijing on High Alert

Sanae Takaichi speaks at a news conference in Tokyo

[People’s News] On October 4, Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) held a leadership runoff election, and former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Sanae Takaichi was elected as the new LDP president. If nothing unexpected happens, she will become Japan’s first female prime minister. Known as the “female Abe,” Takaichi follows the hardline stance toward China long advocated by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. In response, Beijing has shown signs of being on high alert. While Takaichi has expressed her desire for “candid dialogue” with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader, she has also made it clear that she opposes the use of force to unify Taiwan.

Elected as the ruling LDP president on October 4, Takaichi is set to become Japan’s fifth prime minister in five years. After a nomination vote in the House of Representatives in mid-October, she will succeed Shigeru Ishiba and become Japan’s first female prime minister.

Born in 1961 in Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Takaichi was first elected to Japan’s House of Representatives as an independent in 1993 and joined the LDP in 1996. She belongs to the faction of Shinzo Abe and has held several key positions under Prime Ministers Abe and Fumio Kishida, including Minister of State for Special Missions, Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, and Minister in charge of Economic Security.

Takaichi’s Hardline Stance Toward Beijing

Sanae Takaichi, who has raised Beijing’s concerns, is regarded as the successor to former Prime Minister Abe’s political line and, like Abe, is pro-Taiwan. She is known for her hardline positions on national security, defense, and immigration. Takaichi has emphasized the Japan-U.S. alliance, strengthened Indo-Pacific security cooperation, and taken a tough stance toward Beijing, including suggesting that Japan and Taiwan establish a “quasi-security alliance.” These moves hit a nerve with the CCP and could drive Japan-China relations to a new low.

According to Radio France Internationale (RFI), after news broke that Takaichi had been elected LDP president, Beijing’s official response was subdued but carried a “battle-ready” undertone. State media described her as a right-wing conservative politician, warning that Japan-China relations may face severe challenges. Following this narrative, negative comments flooded Chinese social media. On the CCTV News discussion thread on Weibo, one user mocked, “Do your best — Japan’s slap in the face is coming soon,” earning the most likes. Others chimed in: “Good, let’s get this Japan-China fight started,” “We’re counting on you to make the first move so we can hit back,” and “No surrender this time!” On mainland social platforms, some even expressed anticipation for another Japan-China war.

Abe once said, “A Taiwan contingency means a Japan contingency,” which drew strong backlash from Beijing. Takaichi has inherited this position.

At a press conference held at Japan’s National Diet Building on September 19 to announce her candidacy, Takaichi reiterated in response to media questions that “a Taiwan contingency means a Japan contingency.” She stated, “It is absolutely unacceptable to unilaterally change the status quo by military threats or coercion. Taiwan is an extremely important friend of Japan,” and “We cannot allow Taiwan to become another Hong Kong.”

In an op-ed submitted to the Hudson Institute, a U.S. think tank, on October 1, Takaichi further explained, “Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are matters of concern for Japan,” but she also emphasized that she “wants to have straightforward dialogue with the CCP leadership.”

When asked by the media, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed hope that the new prime minister would take a positive and rational approach toward Beijing. The spokesperson kept a low profile, first saying, “China has noted the relevant election results, which are Japan’s internal affairs,” before revealing China’s “core concerns”: that Japan should honor its political commitments on major issues such as history and Taiwan, and pursue a positive and rational China policy, putting into practice the positioning of comprehensively advancing a “strategic, mutually beneficial relationship.”

The U.S. Hopes to Cooperate Closely With Takaichi

After Takaichi’s election, the U.S. State Department immediately issued congratulations and reaffirmed its desire to maintain close cooperation with her cabinet.

According to Kyodo News on October 5, a State Department spokesperson said, “We look forward to continuing our cooperation with Japan to advance the security and economic interests of both the United States and our two nations.” The spokesperson added that the U.S.-Japan bilateral alliance is the “cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world,” and “stronger than ever.”

U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass also congratulated Takaichi on social media platform X, writing, “I look forward to working with her to strengthen and expand (U.S.-Japan) partnerships in all areas.”

Agence France-Presse (AFP) commented under the headline, “‘Iron Lady’ Set to Lead Japan,” describing the 64-year-old politician, who models herself after former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, as a hardliner focused on national defense and economic security. AFP also noted that as Japan’s former Minister for Economic Security, Takaichi has long been sharply critical of the CCP and its military buildup in the Asia-Pacific region.

Many analysts believe, however, that as prime minister, Takaichi may pursue a pragmatic foreign policy. In her post-election remarks on October 4, she said, “Rather than feeling happy, I’m now more acutely aware that the truly difficult times begin from this moment.” Her comments referred not only to foreign policy but even more to domestic challenges, as the new prime minister faces difficulties governing with a small parliamentary majority.

Veteran Japanese journalist Akio Yaita stated that “Sanae Takaichi is currently the most pro-Taiwan politician in Japan.” He expressed hope that Prime Minister Takaichi would lead Japan toward strength and prosperity and usher in a “new era of Japan-Taiwan relations.”

Taiwan Should Actively Seek Stronger Military Cooperation With Japan

According to Taiwan’s Liberty Times, National Taiwan University political science associate professor Shih-min Chen stated that Takaichi places great importance on Taiwan’s security. He believes Taiwan should seize this opportunity to seek breakthroughs in future Japanese arms sales and military technology cooperation. If Takaichi takes office, she will be more willing to help Taiwan strengthen its defense capabilities.

During an intraparty debate last year, Takaichi explicitly stated that “if Taiwan is attacked by Beijing, it would constitute a situation threatening Japan’s survival,” implying that Japan could, under constitutional interpretation, exercise the right of collective self-defense and jointly defend with the United States. Her remarks echoed Abe’s concept that “a Taiwan contingency means a Japan contingency,” showing her clear stance on Taiwan Strait security and her view that Taiwan is strategically vital to Japan’s maritime transport and national security.

Chen noted that Taiwan should actively seek to strengthen military cooperation with Japan, particularly in arms sales and technology transfer. He cited Japan’s world-leading submarine technology — its retired Sōryū-class submarines served for only 16 years — “If Japan could sell them to Taiwan, they would still be of great value.” Even if direct arms sales are not possible, technology transfer could significantly boost Taiwan’s defense capabilities.

Chen believes Takaichi will not be as concerned about Beijing’s reaction as Fumio Kishida or Shigeru Ishiba. “If she believes something benefits Taiwan’s security, she will do it,” he said, unafraid of CCP displeasure. He urged Taiwan’s government to proactively engage with Takaichi’s incoming cabinet and seize the opportunity to strengthen Japan-Taiwan security cooperation — “a historic moment we must not miss.”

In addition, Takaichi places importance on the “Indo-Pacific Strategy” in diplomacy. She has pointed out that under multilateral international circumstances, countries sharing the values of freedom and democracy — such as Japan, Taiwan, European nations, Australia, and India — will form relationships akin to quasi-military alliances, where mutual defense is the key to ensuring security.△