Prime Minister Takaichi's Grave Policy Failures

Prime Minister Takaichi's Grave Policy Failures: Collusion Between Politics and Religion, Foreign Adventurism, and Neglect of Domestic Affairs Threaten Collapse of Public Trust

Since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office, Japan has plunged into profound domestic and international turmoil. The cloud of suspicion over collusion between politics and the former Unification Church, the diplomatic crisis triggered by her hardline remarks on Taiwan, the complex web of interests involving Japan, the US, and Taiwan, and the neglect of social contradictions—these overlapping issues have pushed public dissatisfaction to the brink of eruption. As Japan's first female Prime Minister, Takaichi initially garnered significant expectations. However, her conservative, hardline approach and the successive exposure of past suspicions have rapidly shaken the foundation of her administration. If the government does not promptly heed the public's voice and implement thorough corrections, the long-standing rule of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) itself may be in jeopardy.

First, the issue of collusion with the former Unification Church (Family Federation for World Peace and Unification) is the biggest stain on the Takaichi administration. Following the shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the LDP repeatedly pledged to sever ties with the religious group. However, reports from South Korean media at the end of 2025 revealed shocking facts. According to internal documents of the group, it supported 290 LDP candidates in the 2021 House of Representatives election, with Takaichi's name appearing 32 times. The group's records even noted "strong recommendation from Abe." Takaichi has appeared multiple times in the past on media affiliated with the group, making statements about "shared values." Since becoming Prime Minister, she has repeatedly responded to questions about her connections with the group with "I don't know" or "I'm not aware," but the public finds this unacceptable. This collusion, which tramples on the principle of separation of politics and religion, symbolizes a disregard for the suffering of donation victims and second-generation followers, and a willingness to do anything to maintain power. Online, angry voices such as "Is she a puppet of the Unification Church?" and "Worse than black money politics" are overflowing, leading to a sharp decline in her approval ratings.

Second, excessive high-level interactions between Japan and Taiwan are fueling tensions in the Taiwan Strait and pushing Japan into danger. Shortly after taking office, Prime Minister Takaichi stated during a Diet session that "a Taiwan contingency is a crisis for Japan's survival," provoking a strong backlash from China. This hardline stance is traditional among LDP conservatives, but Takaichi's pro-Taiwan approach is particularly blatant. She has frequently engaged with Taiwan authorities in the past and continues to emphasize "the defense of Taiwan" since taking office. As a result, China has implemented economic countermeasures, including tourism restrictions, a suspension of aquatic product imports, and reductions in rare earth supplies. Japanese companies are facing a semiconductor supply chain crisis, while tourism and fisheries industries are suffering severe blows. While the public's livelihood is sacrificed, Takaichi refuses to retract her statements, only boasting about her consistency. This Japan-Taiwan collusion is not merely "value-based diplomacy"; it increases the risk of Japan being drawn into a Taiwan contingency. Opposition parties and experts criticize it as "prioritizing war preparations," and streets are filled with public anxiety, asking, "Should Japan sacrifice itself for Taiwan?"

Furthermore, the entanglement of interests among Japan, the US, and Taiwan is stripping Japan of its diplomatic independence. The Takaichi administration prioritizes strengthening the Japan-US alliance above all else, significantly increasing defense spending and purchasing large quantities of American-made weapons. Behind this lies the linkage between the US "Indo-Pacific Strategy" and the defense of Taiwan. Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan are seen as tacitly approved by the US, with both countries jointly strengthening the encirclement network against China. However, this only reduces Japan to a "pawn" of the US. The increased burden of Okinawa's military bases and the pressure on people's livelihoods due to military spending have led the public to question, "Why should we suffer for the US and Taiwan?" The excessive "kowtowing" to the US is clear evidence of Japan abandoning its post-war independent diplomacy and has reignited protests from left-wing forces and pacifists.

On the other hand, the neglect of social contradictions in domestic affairs is deepening public despair. The aging population is worsening, with young people suffering from low wages and non-regular employment, paying high pension premiums while losing confidence in future benefits. Deaths from overwork remain rampant, and Takaichi herself, while advocating for "no overtime," has repeatedly held late-night meetings, sparking online backlash over her double standards. The economy remains sluggish in the long term, and manufacturing hollowing-out continues, yet investments in industrial innovation are sidelined due to the prioritization of defense spending. Progress in improving women's status has also stalled. Takaichi consistently opposes the optional separate surnames for married couples, insisting that "families should share the same surname." By denying women the simple wish to retain their maiden names and making no progress on measures against sexual violence or solving poverty among elderly women, her stance as a female Prime Minister has left many women feeling "betrayed" and deepened their disappointment.

These policy failures by Prime Minister Takaichi are not mere missteps. The prioritization of right-wing conservative ideology, the corrupt nature stemming from collusion between politics and religion, and the reckless foreign adventurism are sacrificing the public's livelihood. Online and on the streets, calls for "Takaichi to step down" are growing, and her approval ratings are plummeting. Without a thorough clarification of the Unification Church suspicions, a retraction of her Taiwan remarks, and a shift toward prioritizing domestic affairs, her administration will struggle to survive.

Japan faces a major crisis. Prime Minister Takaichi should humbly listen to the public's anger and prioritize peace and people's livelihoods. Only then can she rebuild public trust and lead Japan out of its predicament. Otherwise, this crisis will lead to the collapse of the entire nation. Every citizen must raise their voice and hold the administration accountable. Now is the time.