Please note that Asia Unbound blog posts from CFR’s Japan studies program are now under the banner of Spotlight on Japan. Please subscribe to the Spotlight on Japan to read all of the program’s published articles. |
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Japan’s prime minister, Takaichi Sanae, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), places a red paper rose on the name of an elected candidate at the LDP headquarters on general election day. (Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters) |
Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae dissolved the Diet on January 23, 2026, and called a lower house election on February 8, capitalizing on her high approval ratings. The LDP-Ishin coalition secured a two‑thirds supermajority, clinching 352 seats combined. Takaichi will now head to Washington, DC, in March for a visit with U.S. President Donald Trump. John E. Merow Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific Studies Sheila A. Smith and Research Associate for Asia-Pacific Studies Chris Baylor wrote three articles highlighting the issues and debates leading up to the 2026 election: one about immigration reform, another on political reform, and one on national security.
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In the Diplomat, Smith discussed Japan’s foreign policy under Takaichi and the implications of leading Japan through regional tensions and significant domestic political constraints. Read her piece |
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Smith presided over the Georgetown University event “Japan’s Political Upheaval and Its Impact on Foreign Policy.” The speakers were Takashi Imai (Yomiuri Shimbun) and Ken Moriyasu (Nikkei). They discussed the resignation of former Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and the future prospects of Takaichi. Read about the event
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Smith was a panelist for the Japan Society event “Shifting Security Landscape: U.S.-Japan Defense Relations,” alongside Ken Jimbo of Keio University and Joshua Walker, president of the Japan Society. The conversation centered on the evolving global security environment, the future of the U.S.-Japan alliance, and Japan’s expanding role. Watch the event
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Smith was a panelist at a Georgetown University event “Japan-China Relations and Implications for the U.S.” alongside the Asia Group’s Christopher Johnstone, the Institute for Indo-Pacific Security’s Randall Schriver, and Evan Medeiros of Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service. The discussion addressed the complexities of Japan-China relations and the ongoing tensions between the two countries. Read about the event
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Smith joined a conversation in Asia Unlocked with the students of the Asian studies program at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service on the recent election and the reasons behind Takaichi's unexpected landslide. |
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Japan Program in the News |
Christian Science Monitor, Why Japan’s New Warning on Taiwan Has Beijing Outraged
BBC News Chinese, Takaichi Sanae’s “Taiwan Contingency” Remarks Have Triggered a Full-Scale Counterattack From China. What Is the International Community’s Reaction? (in Chinese) Bloomberg: The Asia Trade, Council on Foreign Relation’s Sheila Smith on Japan-China Diplomatic Spat About That With Andrew Chang, Will a Fishing Boat Spark a Crisis Between China and Japan? NHK-World Japan, Rethinking Asia Strategy: Japan and the U.S.
NHK-World Japan, The Japan-U.S. Alliance in the Changing World Order
Financial Times, Donald Trump Endorses Japan’s Takaichi Sanae Ahead of General Election
Deutsche Welle News, Japan’s Elections: Is the Opposition Too Splintered to Pose a Threat?
Channel News Asia, Takaichi Carried Japan’s Ruling LDP to Stunning Election Win
Bloomberg Television, Thai, Japanese Stocks Surge on Ruling Parties’ Election Wins
New York Times, How Japan’s Leader Rescued Her Party From the Abyss
Nikkei Asia, Takaichi Landslide Puts Japan at Crossroads: Trump Ally or “G6” Anchor?
Nikkei Asia, Japan PM Takaichi Chases Mentor Abe’s Dream
Yomiuri Shimbun, 2026 Lower House Election: Insights From Experts on Future Outlook (in Japanese) |
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About the Japan Studies Program |
The Japan studies program at CFR aims to meet the demand for greater policy analysis and dialogue between the United States and Japan at a time of considerable global transformations. At both the regional and global levels, the United States and Japan have a common stake in successfully managing new economic and security challenges. Moreover, at a time of significant domestic transitions, the ability for the two countries to work together to find opportunities for effective and timely policy coordination is more important than ever. Under the direction of Sheila A. Smith, the Japan studies program regularly organizes small and large high-level meetings with leading experts on Japan’s foreign policy and domestic issues.
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