Leader of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Sanae Takaichi was sworn in Tuesday as Japan’s first female prime minister and has formed the 104th Cabinet of Japan. Taiwan’s Institute for National Policy Research (INPR) held a symposium Wednesday to discuss the outlook for Taiwan-Japan relations under Takaichi’s leadership, with several scholars expressing optimism about the new administration.

The symposium was moderated by INPR’s CEO Wang Hung-jen (王宏仁) and brought together various experts in economics, diplomacy, and Japanese studies. INPR Distinguished Researcher Masson Li (李鎮宇) pointed out that since Takaichi was elected president of the LDP, Japanese stocks have risen by 7%, with the Nikkei Index approaching the 50,000 mark. Li commented that he had never seen such a positive market response to the announcement of a new Japanese PM.

National Taiwan University Japanese Language and Literature Professor Ho Szu-shen (何思慎) said he believes Takaichi’s Cabinet must meet the Japanese public’s expectations for economic development in order to be successful. To this, Taiwan Society of Japan Studies Secretary-General Liu Chi-feng (劉奇峯) added that Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, who previously served as Japan’s defense minister, specializes in intelligence coordination and crisis management and that his appointment should have the effect of stabilizing the Cabinet. 

Liu further noted that tariffs negotiator Ryozo Akazawa’s appointment as Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry will benefit Japan-U.S. relations, while the addition of 42-year-old American-Japanese politician Kimi Onoda as the Cabinet’s youngest member adds a fresh perspective.

As for Japan’s new Foreign Minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, National University of Kaohsiung Professor Jack Yang (楊鈞池) said Motegi held the post at the time the Japanese government donated COVID-19 vaccines to Taiwan. He said he believes Motegi sees Taiwan as an important partner. Ho added that Motegi’s excellent English skills and good relationship with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (王毅) also bode well for the new administration.