Newly-elected leader of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Sanae Takaichi (left), shakes hands with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba after winning the LDP leadership election in Tokyo, Japan, on October 4, 2025. Photo: CFP

Following the election of Sanae Takaichi as the new president of the Liberal Democratic Party, Japanese political figures and media outlets have given various feedbacks. 

Former LDP president Shigeru Ishiba said on Saturday that he hopes Takaichi will not lead Japan in the wrong direction, Japanese media Nikkei reported on Saturday.

He told reporters that what is needed is solidarity and tolerance, not confrontation and division, according to Nikkei.

On Saturday, newly elected LDP president Takaichi held a press conference at party headquarters, where she outlined policies on the economy — including measures to tackle rising prices — as well as on foreign affairs and security, according to an NHK report. 

On tariff negotiations with the Trump administration, Takaichi said that "We will abide by what has been agreed upon bilaterally." At the same time, she stressed that if issues arise that harm Japan's national interests, "we must clearly state our position within the framework of Japan-US consultations."

On foreign affairs and security, Takaichi claimed that we are in a very difficult period for both diplomacy and security. "With Japan's security environment becoming increasingly severe, we must hold thorough discussions within the party as we move toward drafting next year's budget. To protect Japan's peace, diplomacy is truly essential, and I am determined to devote my full efforts to it," said Takaichi, according to NHK. 

The NHK report noted that Takaishi stressed that "there are many diplomatic challenges, and first of all, it is vital to reaffirm the strengthening of the Japan-US alliance. At the same time, we must deepen cooperation within frameworks such as Japan-US-South Korea, Japan-US-Australia, and Japan-US-Philippines." 

When asked whether she would visit Yasukuni Shrine if elected prime minister in the Diet's designation vote, Takaichi replied that "I will make an appropriate decision at the proper time on how to honor the war dead and how to pray for peace." She claimed that "This should never be turned into a diplomatic issue. I want to work hard to create an international environment in which countries can mutually show respect to those who gave their lives for their homelands," per NHK.

Japan's approach toward the US, particularly in diplomacy and security, has shown little change from previous governments, as the consistent emphasis on strengthening the US-Japan alliance demonstrates, and Japan essentially has no alternative path and will still make concessions to the US, Lü Chao, an expert at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.

Compared to the past, when she explicitly encouraged visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, her current statements are relatively vague. While her stance today may be perceived as a retreat, the act of defining the Yasukuni Shrine in such terms remains, in itself, an affront to neighboring countries, said the expert, noting that Ishiba hopes that after taking office, Japan will not be steered toward an even more extreme right-wing path, as this would make it difficult to manage Japan's relations with its neighbors in the Asia-Pacific region.

Japanese media gave a wide range of reports on Takaichi's election as the LDP leader. The Nippon News Network reported that Takaichi's camp hailed the election result as a "dramatic comeback." It also noted that the biggest factor was that former Prime Minister and "kingmaker" Taro Aso, along with former Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi's camp, threw their support behind Takaichi in the runoff. Immediately after being elected as the new party president, Takaichi met with Aso at party headquarters to personally express her gratitude.

On Saturday, a Nikkei report also cited a Japan expert as saying that the LDP has returned to "Abe-ism." "In an electoral campaign in which the candidates tried to downplay conflict and disagreement, Takaichi was unique in her willingness to separate herself from the field on policy issues." 

For example, although she softened her advocacy of fiscal expansionism relative to last year, she still endorsed increasing the use of deficit bonds. She also warned that it could be necessary to renegotiate the trade deal with the United States if it turns out that the benefits are one-sided in favor of the US, though she will likely try to use her relationship with Abe to build a foundation for working with Donald Trump, according to the report. 

A report from Jiji Press noted that advocating to continue the political line of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi expanded her support base among conservative factions and emerged victorious in this fiercely contested election. However, her hawkish statements and actions have received mixed reactions.

She consistently visits Yasukuni Shrine and is strongly supported by conservative lawmakers within the party. However, many are concerned about the potential deterioration of relations with neighboring countries, according to Jiji.