Last Sunday, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party secured a sweeping two-thirds majority in Japan’s Lower House following snap elections. The decisive win comes at a critical juncture for Japan as it redefines its role in the Indo-Pacific amid rising tensions with China, a deepening partnership with the United States, and growing domestic support for strengthening the country’s military and defense capabilities. Ken Weinstein, Japan Chair at Hudson Institute, joins Flash Focus to unpack the election results, examine Takaichi’s rapid ascent and widespread appeal, and explore the implications for U.S.–Japan relations and the broader Indo-Pacific landscape.
(1:50) Election Results
(7:02) The Election’s Impact on a Free and Open Indo-Pacific
(12:29) Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi
(16:37) Takaichi and the China Challenge
(18:58) The Ramifications of Takaichi’s Comments on a Taiwan Contingency
(24:12) Article 9
(27:06) Next Steps for Washington and Tokyo
(32:41) Japan’s Importance to the United States
You can watch this episode as a video on YouTube.
