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Takaichi Moves Into Japan’s Official Prime Ministerial Residence Two Months Into Term

The move follows scrutiny over her delayed Dec. 8 earthquake response.

Overview

  • Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi relocated to the official residence on Dec. 29, according to Kyodo News.
  • Since taking office in October, she had commuted by car from the Diet members’ dormitory in Tokyo’s Akasaka district.
  • Sources close to the prime minister say a heavy early schedule of diplomacy and parliamentary business postponed the move.
  • Opposition leader Yoshihiko Noda criticized her after she reached the office about 35 minutes after the Dec. 8 quake.
  • Officials attributed that delay to her official car not arriving, and her timing to move in aligns with recent predecessors such as Fumio Kishida and Shigeru Ishiba.