TOKYO:
Japanese premier Sanae Takaichi said on Monday that the public saw an “urgent need” for major reform after a historic election landslide, pledging to boost the country’s defences in order to protect its territory.
Sunday’s snap vote saw Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) win a two-thirds majority in the lower house for the first time in its history, capitalising on her strong popularity since taking office in October.
The outcome allows Japan’s first woman prime minister to stamp her mark on the country of 123 million people over the next four years, having pledged to boost the economy and get tough on immigration.
“This is the start of a heavy, heavy responsibility to make Japan stronger, more prosperous,” Takaichi, 64, told a news conference on Monday.
“We believe that the public has shown understanding and sympathy regarding our appeals concerning the urgent need for a major policy shift,” she said.
The admirer of “Iron Lady” Margaret Thatcher also said she would bolster Japan’s defences, including through creating a new intelligence bureau and revising key security policy documents.
“No one will come to the aid of a nation that lacks the resolve to defend itself with its own hands,” Takaichi said.
“We will steadfastly protect our nation’s peace and independence, our territory, territorial waters, airspace, and the lives and safety of our citizens,” she added.
