Prime Minister Takashi? A one-month achievement! Public splintering, the final boss Miyazawa, Trump talks, Xi Jinping direct negotiation, crushing bureaucratic control

Ms. Sanae Takai, who became the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party in October 2025. As Japan's first female prime minister, she began governing with unprecedented attention.One month since taking office, both domestic and foreign affairs have seen numerous developments.

With the Karuizawa Party's exit from the coalition, talks with former President Trump of the United States, adjustments in relations with China, cooperation with Ishin (Japan Innovation Party), and how the media covers matters, it has been a month that unsettled politics, society, and public opinion.Here we calmly review these events from six perspectives.

?LDP exit from the coalition

In early October, the Komeito Party unilaterally dissolved its coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party. The end of a 26-year ruling-party cooperative relationship sent a major shock through politics. Yet this event can be seen as a turning point for the LDP, removing a longtime constraint.With the end of the “compromise structure” that had distorted policy essence, free and robust political ideals began to move again.

Public opinion opposition was limited, with many praising that it was unnatural for different parties to be together in policy. It could be said to be a remarkable achievement that things previously unattainable even during Abe's administration were realized so easily.

?Coalition with Ishin and exit of Kokumin Minshu

Following Komeito's exit, there were moves toward Kenta Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, but talks did not progress as hoped, and policy cooperation with Ishin progressed instead.There is strong policy alignment with Takai, and Fujita's co-leader's conservatism shows high affinity; the distance between the two has rapidly narrowed.

Ishin’s leader Yoshimura, determined to realize policies, agreed to the coalition, while continuing to invite Tamaki to join, but the labor union's constraints could not be broken, leading to a sharp drop in support for Kokumin Minshu. Realizing Kokumin Minshu's distance from the people is a notable outcome.

?Cabinet appointments, the strongest lineup

In Takai's early cabinet, the priority was practical experience and capability over faction balance. Beginning with the bold move of removing Miyazawa, who was close to the Finance Ministry, and promoting his subordinate Kobayashi Takashi, appointing Satsuki Katayama as Finance Minister, Toshimitsu Motegi to Foreign Affairs, Shinjiro Koizumi to Defense, and Niimi Onoda to a ministerial post, etc.,assembling a lineup that combines capability and communication power.

This created a system that prioritizes results over faction, significantly improving the cabinet's practical power. The decision to sever ties with the “last boss Miyazawa” symbolically marks the moment the LDP truly broke free from bureaucratic control. The lineup is almost perfect, and the public highly praised it as a convincing arrangement.

?Trump meeting, the US-Japan golden era

On October 27, a meeting with former President Trump took place. The discussion covered new cooperation frameworks in energy, semiconductors, rare earths, and other fields, with a joint statement toward building a relationship dubbed the “golden era” of Japan-U.S. cooperation.

U.S. assessments were high as Takai was noted for her diplomatic acumen as a realistic and reliable partner.During the two-night, three-day visit, their closeness was highlighted, and every photo became news.

?Genuine dialogue with Xi Jinping

At the end of October, Prime Minister Takai met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. While both sides emphasized the importance of a constructive and stable relationship, they remained firm on issues such as the East China Sea and economic security.With an eye on Japanese companies' risks in China, there was a sense of balancing dialogue maintenance with independence in approach.

While speaking forcefully, it also seemed they were seeking a practical distance rather than severing ties entirely.Has any prime minister spoken like this before? We want to see true diplomacy beyond mere expressions of regret.

?Media and the illusion of gender equality

Since Takai's administration, some media outlets repeatedly argued “because she is a female prime minister.” However, much of this was superficial, lacking analysis of policies and governance, and on social media, criticisms of “thin content” emerged. Opinions spread that true gender equality means not treating women as special, and there were even outdated remarks labeling Takai as “masculine.”

Exposing such media bias and correcting distortions in public discourse is also a achievement of Prime Minister Takai. The illusion of liberal equality is crumbling, and politics is moving toward outcomes over rhetoric.The public's ability to discern media bias may be the most significant change that emerged in this month.

?Conclusion: One month is incredibly dynamic

In just one month since taking office, there were reconfigurations of coalitions, new diplomatic fronts, and cabinet restructuring, all at speeds unimaginable in previous Japanese politics. Takai's style of prioritizing practical results over ideology and putting national interests first may significantly change Japan's political model going forward.

Has any politician achieved so much in just one month?Beyond coalition boundaries, breaking bureaucratic dominance, making a mark in diplomacy, and strengthening the cabinet through capability—each of these is a historic feat.

The Takai administration has shifted into high gear as a “engine of reform.” How far she will go remains to be seen, but we hope she continues political reforms at a steady, safe pace with health as a priority. And, including security measures, we hope she as the nation’s leader will steadily advance with safety as the top priority.