Feb 18 β€’ 15:29 UTC πŸ‡―πŸ‡΅ Japan Asahi Shimbun (JP)

Prime Minister Takaichi Shows Ambition for Constitutional Amendment: Attitude Toward Discussions in a "One-Strong National Assembly" is Questioned

Prime Minister Takaichi expressed her intent to push for constitutional amendments and highlighted the need for serious discussions in the National Assembly during her first press conference as the newly elected Prime Minister of Japan.

On the 18th, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was elected as Japan's 105th Prime Minister during the special National Assembly session, marking the formation of her second cabinet in coalition with the Japan Innovation Party. Following a decisive victory for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which now holds a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives, Takaichi showcased her commitment to constitutional amendment by stating her desire to create an environment conducive to proposing amendments and moving towards a national referendum on the issue. She emphasized the importance of pushing forward with constitutional discussions, mentioning that they have matured significantly and that the matter of amending the Imperial Household Law is also urgent and unavoidable.

During the same day, she reappointed all cabinet members, noting that it had only been four months since her administration commenced. Takaichi's comments reflected the LDP's electoral pledge to realign Japan's constitution to better meet contemporary needs, indicating a proactive stance towards both constitutional and Imperial regulations amendments. She plans to accelerate discussions in the National Assembly by appointing allies to key roles, strategizing around the upcoming budget revisions, and ensuring that the policies put forth are both timely and aligned with the national interest.

In her press conference, Takaichi reiterated her administration's intention to reinforce intelligence gathering and analysis capabilities and announced plans to introduce legislation for a national intelligence agency and a foreign investment committee. As prime minister, she secured 354 votes in the House of Representatives, significantly outpacing the opposition, highlighting her strong support within the ruling party. Her leadership approach seems to underscore a call for listening attentively to diverse voices while boldly conducting governance, an attempt to balance ambitious reforms with a commitment to public engagement and transparency.

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