Photo/Illutration Sanae Takaichi visits the main hall of Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward on Oct. 17, 2023. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a staunch conservative on historical issues, indicated she plans to avoid a deterioration in relations with South Korea but may take a more assertive posture toward China.

Takaichi is scheduled to take her first overseas tour as head of state this weekend at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations conference in Malaysia.

Her views on history, particularly Japan’s actions before and during World War II, have raised concerns about Japan’s relations with its neighbors.

She started to reveal her diplomatic posture toward Asian countries at her inaugural news conference as prime minister on Oct. 21.

“South Korea is an important neighbor to Japan,” Takaichi said. “Based on the foundation of Japan-South Korea relations built under previous administrations, I want to develop the relationship in a future-oriented and stable manner.”

Her words came in response to a question from a reporter with South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo, the only foreign media outlet granted a question at the news conference.

The reporter noted that parts of South Korea were concerned about a possible deterioration in relations with Japan.

Takaichi’s reply seemed aimed at alleviating worries that she herself may hold a negative view of South Korea.

“It seems there are various concerns, but I love Korean nori seaweed. I also use Korean cosmetics and watch Korean dramas,” she said.

A significant factor behind Takaichi’s emphasis on good relations with South Korea is the U.S. government’s desire to maintain the Japan-U.S.-South Korea security framework with China in mind.

In a contribution to a U.S. conservative think tank on Oct. 1, near the end of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s presidential election campaign, Takaichi listed “Japan-U.S.-South Korea” as a multilateral security cooperation framework that should be deepened.

The transition from former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who was well regarded in South Korea, to Takaichi has made Seoul uneasy.

However, the administration of Lee Jae-myung, which advocates “practical diplomacy” focused on national interest, is in agreement with Takaichi on wanting to build stable Japan-South Korea relations.

“Deteriorating Korea-Japan relations should have no merit for Japan either,” a South Korean government official said.

FIRM STANCE ON BEIJING

But regarding relations with China, Takaichi has shown no signs of changing her pro-Taiwan stance since winning the LDP presidency on Oct. 4.

On Oct. 9, she sent a message to a meeting discussing human rights issues in China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

She stated in strong terms, “I cannot suppress my indignation at the continued oppression by the Chinese Communist Party in Southern Mongolia.”

On Oct. 13, she posted on her X account, “For Japan, Taiwan is an extremely important partner and a dear friend.”

China has condemned Takaichi’s Oct. 9 remarks.

“This is interference in China’s internal affairs,” Guo Jiakun, deputy director of the information department of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said.

China has long viewed Takaichi with caution. The state-run Xinhua News Agency has described her as “a representative right-wing politician in Japan.”

BALANCING IDEOLOGY, DIPLOMACY

One source of concern for Japan’s relations around Asia is Takaichi’s frequent visits to Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 14 Class-A war criminals along with the nation’s war dead.

Takaichi’s decision to forgo a visit to the Tokyo shrine during its autumn festival earlier this month was seen as a pragmatic move out of consideration to Japan’s neighbors.

However, she previously pledged to visit the shrine as prime minister. If she breaks this promise, she risks disappointing her conservative support base.

“The challenge for the administration will be how to maintain core right-wing support while avoiding provocation with China and South Korea,” said Taizo Miyagi, a professor at Chuo University specializing in postwar Japanese diplomacy. “If the ‘Takaichi color’ becomes fully visible in diplomacy and historical issues, it could become a risk factor for Japanese foreign policy.”