Overview
- Parliament chose Takaichi in the first round, 237 votes to opposition candidate Yoshihiko Noda’s 149, opening a 58‑day extraordinary session through December 17.
- The Liberal Democratic Party retained control through a pact with Japan Innovation Party, which will provide support in a consultative role without taking cabinet posts.
- The reconfigured alliance follows Komeito’s departure after 26 years, citing the LDP’s refusal to back limits on corporate donations and bans on contributions to individual politicians.
- Takaichi plans to accelerate defense outlays, endorsing a budget at or above 2% of GDP and revisions to key security documents financed by higher levies on firms, incomes and tobacco.
- Early diplomatic moves are expected to include an ASEAN summit in Malaysia followed by an official visit to Tokyo by U.S. President Donald Trump at month’s end.