“The ideal shape of the state”. Sanae Takaichi as Margaret Thatcher

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Monday that her coalition's historic victory in the parliamentary elections gives a mandate for deep reforms, including changing the pacifist constitution. The head of government announced a “responsible and active” fiscal policy and strengthened security. Opposition leaders resign.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (PLD) and its coalition partner the Japan Innovation Party (JPI) won a total of 352 seats in the House of Representatives, the lower house of parliament, on Sunday. A two-thirds majority of 465 seats allows the upper house to override a veto and opens the way to political changes.

– We have received a strong signal from citizens to make a political shift at all costs. There is no time to revel in victory, said the first head of government in the country's history during a press conference in Tokyo. She emphasized that the constitution “describes the ideal shape of the state”, which is why her government will take up the challenge of amending the constitution.

Takaichi has in previous years advocated amending the constitution, including amending its “pacifist” Article 9, to strengthen the Japan Self-Defense Forces

The 64-year-old politician, often referred to as the “Japanese Margaret Thatcher”, also emphasizes defense. – Nobody will help a country that does not have the will to defend itself – she said, announcing the establishment of a new intelligence agency as well as a quick visit to the US and a meeting with President Donald Trump.

In the economic sphere, the Prime Minister referred to the legacy of her mentor, who was killed by the assassin of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, declaring a move away from austerity in favor of stimulating growth. Takaichi announced an end to “excessive budget rigorism”, which is expected to revive the market. A specific relief for citizens is the planned two-year suspension of consumption tax on food products.

The election result sent a shockwave through the opposition. The co-chairs of the Centrist Reform Alliance: Yoshihiko Noda and Tetsuo Saito announced their resignation. This bloc, formed in mid-January from the merger of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (KPDJ) and Komeito – a long-time coalition partner of the PLD, suffered a severe defeat, winning only 49 seats – less than one third of the balance of the component parties before the merger.

The alliance intends to elect new authorities before February 18, when – according to Japanese media – during the parliamentary session, Takaichi is to be reappointed as head of government.

Krzysztof Pawliszak (PAP)

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