#Sanae

The prime minister faces a year-end deadline to explain how to pay for initiatives ranging from a two-year food tax cut to a defense buildup.

One year into an ongoing political row, the neighbors are continuing to look for new opportunities while cutting risks.

New measures focus on strengthening private-public cooperation and building expert teams.

The prime minister will be under pressure as the bill starts to come due for big promises made.

As a first step, the government plans to establish a national intelligence bureau as early as July.

The prime minister's administration used the lull in domestic politics to advance its 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' strategy across Southeast Asia, Africa and Australia.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is attempting to raise Japan’s profile at a time when China’s clout is rising and doubts about the United States are spreading.

Without explicitly mentioning Article 9, Takaichi said the charter — unchanged since 1947 — must be updated to reflect today's international environment and security realities.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also expressed her hopes that the U.S. and Iran will resume talks soon on ending their fighting and reach a final deal.

The prime minister also called for cooperation to achieve 'sustained wage hikes that outpace inflation.'

Members of the panel, chaired by Takaichi, discussed reforms to build a sustainable regional economy amid aging social infrastructure.

Takaichi argues the solution is investment — with Aida proposing a 'high-pressure economy' where demand outstrips supply and the government breaks the deadlock.