Sanae Takaichi, the Liberal Democratic Party leader who is widely seen as likely to become Japan's first female prime minister, said regarding a visit to the Yasukuni Shrine that she would make a judgment "in a timely and appropriate manner."
4th Takaichi, the new party leader, said at a news conference after winning the LDP leadership election that "the Yasukuni Shrine is a central facility for memorial services for the war dead," adding, "How to offer memorial services and how to pray for peace will be judged in a timely and appropriate manner."
She added, "This should never be made into a diplomatic issue," and "I want to work hard to create an international environment in which we can pay respects to those who lost their lives for the homeland."
On the U.S.-Japan tariff negotiations, she said, "There will be no overturning of the agreement." Earlier, Japan agreed in tariff talks with the United States to invest $550 billion (774 trillion won) in the United States. She explained, "It is not decided only by the U.S. investment committee; a venue for consultations will be set up on both the Japanese and U.S. sides, and after hearing opinions at the consultation, the U.S. committee will make recommendations to President Trump," adding, "If something arises in operation that does not accord with Japan's national interest, we must make that clear within this consultative framework."
On the Bank of Japan's interest rate policy, she said, "Whether it is fiscal policy or monetary policy, it is the government that bears responsibility," and, "If prices have risen for two consecutive years, I already consider that inflation." She added, "We must communicate closely with the Bank of Japan and stay in step." The Bank of Japan raised the benchmark interest rate in Jan. this year from around 0.25% to around 0.5%, then kept it unchanged for five straight meetings.
On foreign and security policy, she said, "First, it is important to firmly confirm the strengthening of the Japan-U.S. alliance," adding, "There are also cases where Japan, the United States and South Korea must cooperate." However, Takaichi did not specifically address bilateral Japan-South Korea relations that day.