Sanae Takaichi is hailed by supporters as Japan’s ‘rockstar’ prime minister and derided by critics as a far-right ultra-nationalist. What everyone agrees is that her recent landslide snap-election victory is a revolutionary moment in Japanese politics. Here, Philip Patrick – journalist and lecturer at Tokyo’s Sophia University – talks to spiked’s Georgina Mumford about Takaichi’s radical plans for immigration and the economy, her hawkishness towards China, and what Western leaders might learn from her stunning electoral success. Watch, share and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Japan’s iron lady?
Philip Patrick on the staggering rise of Sanae Takaichi and the populist turn in Japanese politics.
Comments
Want to join the conversation?
Only spiked supporters and patrons, who donate regularly to us, can comment on our articles.