Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi officially raised the possibility of introducing nuclear-powered submarines. The intent is to review every option to strengthen national security deterrence. In her first one-on-one interview since taking office, Takaichi signaled a full-fledged move to break the postwar framework of Japan's security policy.
According to the Yomiuri Shimbun on the 24th, Takaichi, when asked in the interview whether to introduce nuclear-powered submarines, said, "We will review measures necessary to enhance deterrence and response capabilities without excluding any options." The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Japan Innovation Party specified the possession of submarines equipped with vertical launch systems (VLS) in their coalition agreement in Oct. Military experts see this as a stepping stone with the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines in mind.
Nuclear-powered submarines have higher strategic value because they can stay submerged longer and are faster than diesel submarines. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi also signaled eagerness to introduce them in the Diet last month, emphasizing that Korea and Australia are moving to acquire them and that the United States and China already have them.
If the discussion on introducing nuclear-powered submarines gathers steam, debates over the pacifist constitution in Japan and pushback from neighboring countries are expected to intensify. Experts interpreted Takaichi's moves as a strategy to rally the security-conservative base and draw support from moderates.
Akimoto Masahiro, a senior fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, assessed, "The Takaichi Cabinet's security policy is an attempt to strike a balance between U.S. demands in the Trump presidential era and the need for boosting national defense capabilities unique to Japan."
Takaichi made clear that while aiming to build a stable relationship with China, the government will respond on principle to security issues such as a contingency in Taiwan. The policy line of "a stronger Japan," based on coordination with U.S. President Donald Trump, is expected to become even more pronounced.
She also expressed an intention to strengthen cooperation with the Japan Innovation Party to stabilize politics. At present, the Innovation Party provides "outside-the-cabinet cooperation" without holding ministerial posts. The prime minister said, "Dividing responsibilities and duties within the Cabinet is the desirable form of a coalition government," expressing hope that the Innovation Party will shift to "inside-the-cabinet cooperation." She also raised the need to link up with the Democratic Party for the People, signaling a focus on securing momentum for state affairs through cooperation with the opposition.
In economic policy, she ranked inflation measures and social security reform as priorities. Takaichi said she will swiftly push a "benefit-type tax credit" system that combines a tax cut and cash benefits to ease the burden on low-income households. A "national council" to discuss this will be set up early next year. She was cautious about an early dissolution of the lower house, judging that it is more important for the public to feel the impact of the supplementary budget.
Conscious of concerns about rising market interest rates and a weak yen, Takaichi also moved to calm markets by saying she would not irresponsibly issue Government Bonds.
On foreigner policy, she chose pragmatism. While keeping distance from exclusionary ethnonationalism that rejects specific ethnic groups, the policy is to respond firmly to certain illegal acts by foreigners.