Takaichi Confirmed as Japan's First Female PM

Sanae Takaichi was confirmed as Japan’s first female prime minister after parliamentary votes, prompting congratulations from regional leaders and cautious outreach from neighbours. Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong praised the longstanding Singapore–Japan relationship, highlighted cooperation across start-ups, defence, digitalisation and the green economy, and noted Singapore’s role as ASEAN–Japan coordinator through 2027. Beijing said it hopes to “advance” ties with Tokyo under the new premier, while South Korea’s foreign ministry expressed a desire to maintain positive, future-oriented momentum in bilateral relations. Seoul has posted veteran diplomat Lee Hyuk as ambassador to Tokyo to help steady ties and pursue pragmatic, interest-driven diplomacy. South Korean analysts largely expect continuity rather than confrontation but warn Takaichi’s nationalist views and her coalition partner’s right-leaning stance could rekindle disputes over wartime history and constitutional revision.