Core Points - The new Prime Minister of Japan, Sanae Takaichi, held her first press conference to discuss her views on economic and diplomatic issues [1][2] - Takaichi expressed apologies to the Japanese public for the prolonged formation of the new cabinet and emphasized the importance of strong economic and diplomatic security policies for political stability [2] - She plans to instruct her cabinet to develop new economic measures to address the current rising prices in the upcoming cabinet meeting [2] - Takaichi prioritized economic policy over the consideration of dissolving the House of Representatives [2] - She aims to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and hopes to meet with U.S. President Trump soon to enhance mutual trust [2] Economic Policy - Takaichi plans to address the issue of rising prices through new economic strategies in the first cabinet meeting [2] - The focus will be on creating strong economic policies to ensure political stability [2] Diplomatic Relations - The Japan-U.S. alliance will be the cornerstone of Takaichi's foreign policy [2] - She expressed a desire to meet with U.S. President Trump to deepen trust between the two nations [2]

Core Points - The election of Sanna Takichi as Japan's first female Prime Minister marks a significant milestone in Japanese politics, breaking the "glass ceiling" in a traditionally male-dominated political landscape [1][2][3] - The successful formation of a coalition between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the second-largest opposition party, Japan Innovation Party, was crucial for Takichi's election, despite not achieving a majority in both houses [2][3] - The failure of major opposition parties to unite against the LDP allowed Takichi to secure her position, as the Japan Innovation Party chose to ally with the LDP instead of forming a united front with other opposition parties [3] Coalition Dynamics - The new coalition between the LDP and Japan Innovation Party is characterized as a "non-cabinet cooperation," which is inherently more fragile than previous alliances [5][6] - The LDP's long-standing partnership with the Komeito party lasted 26 years, but the sudden withdrawal of Komeito created unprecedented instability in Japanese politics [4][6] - The lack of prior collaboration between the LDP and Japan Innovation Party raises questions about the durability of their alliance, as they have historically been competitors [7] Policy Implications - The coalition's agreement on contentious issues, such as political funding, reflects a temporary consensus rather than a comprehensive resolution, indicating potential future conflicts [8] - The new administration is expected to maintain Japan's existing foreign policy framework, particularly regarding the U.S.-Japan alliance, with no significant changes anticipated in the short to medium term [9][10] - The appointment of Toshimitsu Motegi as Foreign Minister is seen as a strategic move to leverage his diplomatic experience, which may help mitigate potential extremes in foreign policy under Takichi's leadership [11]

Core Viewpoint - The Japanese ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is set to elect a new party president on October 4, with a temporary national assembly scheduled for October 15 to select a successor to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, marking the second prime minister in over a year for Japan [1] Group 1: Election Dynamics - Five candidates are competing for the LDP presidency: Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Shinjiro Koizumi, former Minister for Economic Security Sanae Takaichi, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Minister for Economic Security Takashi Kobayashi, and former LDP Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi [2] - The election has evolved into a three-way race among Yoshihide Suga, Shinjiro Koizumi, and Sanae Takaichi, with Suga gaining momentum and surpassing Takaichi in support among party lawmakers [2][3] - Despite Suga's rising support, he remains at a disadvantage in terms of votes from party members and supporters, with predictions suggesting a likely runoff between Koizumi and Takaichi [3] Group 2: Candidates' Policy Positions - The three leading candidates share similar campaign platforms focused on domestic economic and social issues while avoiding sensitive topics [4] - In foreign policy, all candidates advocate for strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance, but they differ in specifics: Suga takes a pragmatic approach towards China, Koizumi emphasizes economic security, and Takaichi maintains a hardline stance [4] - In security matters, Suga proposes achieving a defense spending target of 2% of GDP by the fiscal year 2027, while Koizumi and Takaichi have differing views on military spending and capabilities [4] Group 3: Challenges Ahead - The new LDP president will face significant challenges due to the party's "double minority" status in both houses of the National Diet, necessitating frequent negotiations with opposition parties to advance policies [5] - Public sentiment towards the election is largely negative, with citizens expressing dissatisfaction over stagnant wages and rising living costs, indicating a demand for candidates who can propose clear fiscal stimulus and social welfare policies [6] - The LDP is grappling with a trust crisis due to past scandals, requiring the new president to implement effective reforms to regain public confidence and support [7]

Group 1: Election Overview - The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan will elect a new party president on October 4, with the winner likely becoming the next Prime Minister [1] - The voting by party members and supporters concluded on October 3, and the election has seen a three-way competition among candidates: Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Shinjiro Koizumi, and former Minister of Economic Security Sanae Takaichi [1][2] - Yoshihide Suga has gained momentum recently, surpassing Takaichi in support among lawmakers, leveraging his extensive political experience and stable image [1] Group 2: Candidate Controversies - Koizumi's campaign faced backlash for allegedly mobilizing supporters to post favorable comments online, leading to a public apology [2] - Takaichi has been criticized for her remarks about foreign tourists in Nara Park, which were denied by park officials, potentially impacting her support [2] Group 3: Policy Positions - The three leading candidates focus on domestic economic and social issues while avoiding sensitive topics [3] - All candidates support strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance but differ in their approaches to China and defense spending [3] - Yoshihide Suga advocates for achieving a defense spending target of 2% of GDP by the fiscal year 2027, while Koizumi emphasizes a steady approach within that framework, and Takaichi calls for enhanced military capabilities [3] Group 4: Public Perception - Japanese media generally view the candidates' policy proposals as lacking innovation and overlapping with existing policies, leading to a dull political discourse [4] - Public sentiment towards the election is largely negative, with low turnout at campaign events and dissatisfaction with candidates' focus on external threats rather than domestic issues [4] - Takaichi's comments have raised concerns about xenophobia in Japan, with experts warning that such rhetoric could exacerbate discrimination against foreigners [4][5]

Core Viewpoint - The upcoming election for the president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is expected to be a contest primarily between current Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Shinjiro Koizumi, and former Minister of Economic Security, Sanae Takaichi, with predictions indicating that political instability will persist regardless of the outcome [2][3][4]. Group 1: Political Dynamics - The resignation of former LDP president and Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, after internal party pressure highlights the ongoing political instability in Japan, characterized by frequent changes in leadership [4][5]. - Since Shinzo Abe's second term, Japan has experienced a pattern of "one prime minister per year," indicating a lack of political continuity and stability [5][6]. - The internal factional struggles within the LDP are expected to continue, making it difficult for any new leader to maintain a stable government [6][7]. Group 2: Economic Policy Challenges - The absence of clear economic policies among the LDP candidates is a significant issue, as previous leaders failed to revitalize the economy, leading to public disillusionment [6][12]. - The impact of U.S. tariffs on Japanese exports is a pressing concern, with estimates indicating that Trump's tariffs could reduce Japan's GDP by 0.4% and lead to a decline in consumer spending and corporate profits [15][16]. - The candidates have not proposed a coherent strategy to address the economic challenges posed by U.S. trade policies, which could further hinder Japan's economic recovery [17][18]. Group 3: Sino-Japanese Relations - Despite political tensions, economic relations between Japan and China remain stable, with bilateral trade figures showing a slight increase over the years [22][23]. - The new LDP president is unlikely to change the confrontational stance towards China, as candidates have continued to emphasize national security concerns and the need to address perceived threats from China [21][22]. - The duality of maintaining economic ties with China while adopting a politically adversarial stance is a defining characteristic of Japan's current political landscape [22][23].

央视网消息：日本近日公布2025年版《防卫白皮书》，把中国、俄罗斯、朝鲜列为所谓的"安全威胁"。日本制造地缘安全焦虑的真实意图 是什么？来看相关报道。 《日本华侨报》："威胁叙事"折射战略焦虑 这份白皮书不仅折射出日本的战略焦虑，更暴露其为自身军事松绑铺路的深层动机。其"威胁叙事"无论是曲解中国军事活动，还是"夸大 化"渲染核力量和中俄合作，真实用意都是为了转移国内矛盾、借机强化日美同盟。这样的"威胁叙事"既缺乏事实依据，也违背地区和平发展 的大势。日本若想真正维护自身安全，必须正视历史、尊重邻国安全关切。 新加坡《联合早报》：或陷入更大的"安全困境" 日本新版《防卫白皮书》以周边局势为由，强调必须提升强化军力，重点将放在研发有利于扩大反击能力的导弹系统。日本军费持续飙 升，将投资人工智能、自动化，并解决人员不足等问题。日本政府此前指出，到2027年国防预算将提高到占GDP的2%。但美国仍要求日本大 幅增加防卫费以分摊自身开支。日本若继续追随美国的对抗政策，可能陷入更大的"安全困境"。 俄罗斯卫星通讯社：暴露日本一贯的偏见 在日本新版《防卫白皮书》中，继续称中国为"前所未有的最大战略挑战"，并提及俄罗斯与朝鲜 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the deteriorating relationship between Japan and the United States, particularly under the Trump administration, focusing on the impact of proposed tariffs on the Japanese automotive industry and the broader economic implications for Japan [1][14]. Group 1: Economic Impact - The automotive industry is crucial to Japan's economy, with exports to the U.S. accounting for 34% of Japan's total exports, and the total value of vehicle exports and parts reaching 7.2 trillion yen in 2024, supporting approximately 5.6 million jobs [1][3]. - A potential 25% tariff on Japanese cars could lead to a GDP reduction of at least 0.8%, with a greater than 50% chance of Japan entering a recession next year [3]. - The collapse of the automotive sector could trigger a domino effect, impacting steel, electronics, and logistics industries, leading to widespread unemployment and social unrest [5]. Group 2: Political Context - The upcoming Senate elections are critical for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's government, which faces low approval ratings (19% for the ruling party and 24% for Ishiba's cabinet) and high disapproval (57%) [8]. - Any concessions to the U.S. regarding agricultural market access or automotive tariffs could jeopardize the support of rural and industrial workers, crucial voter bases for the ruling party [8]. - Public sentiment towards the U.S. has significantly declined, with only 22% of respondents expressing trust in the U.S., and 62% supporting a firm stance in negotiations [10]. Group 3: Military and Security Concerns - The presence of approximately 50,000 U.S. troops and 177 military bases in Japan adds a layer of military pressure, complicating Japan's ability to respond to economic challenges [11]. - The U.S. has linked trade negotiations with security issues, demanding Japan increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP, which could further strain Japan's financial resources [14].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights the tension in the US-Japan security alliance, with Japan asserting its obligations to provide bases for the US, countering Trump's claims of a one-sided relationship [1][2] - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized that Japan is not solely reliant on the US for protection, indicating a mutual defense responsibility [1] - Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono mentioned the security laws allowing collective self-defense, suggesting seamless cooperation between the US and Japan in all situations [1] Group 2 - Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the US-Japan alliance, stating that while the US must defend Japan, Japan does not have the obligation to defend the US [2]