Editorial: Boost for India-Japan relations

Takaichi-led ruling coalition’s landslide win is set to deepen India-Japan ties, strengthen the Quad, and advance Indo-Pacific security

The landslide victory for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s ruling coalition in the snap general elections brings cheer to India as her policies are expected to boost bilateral relations. Takaichi, the first female Prime Minister of a country largely guided by a patriarchal value system, is a protégé of late Shinzo Abe, the longest-serving premier of the country and a great friend of India who passionately advocated closer India-Japan ties and sought to move beyond Tokyo’s post-war pacifist worldview. Leader of the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Takaichi, who is popular among the youth, has pledged to revive his “Abenomics” economic vision of high public spending and cheap borrowing. The LDP has secured a two-thirds majority in parliamentary elections, winning 316 seats in the 465-member Lower House —Diet. The resounding mandate will embolden her party to implement bold economic and security policies just months into her premiership. The landslide consolidates her control of the lower house and gives her significant legislative leverage to pursue her agenda. For India, Takaichi’s firm posturing vis-à-vis China is helpful — she previously indicated that an attack on Taiwan may elicit a defence response from Japan. As a protégé of Shinzo Abe, Takaichi is a big supporter of Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) and has assured New Delhi of continued cooperation within this framework for a free and open Indo-Pacific, a counterweight against China. Armed with a strong political mandate, she can now push this case with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a Quad leaders’ summit.

Once a drummer in a heavy metal band and a television host, Takaichi represents conservative politics. Before entering politics, Takaichi worked briefly as a television host. She joined the LDP in 1996. Since then, she has been elected as an MP 10 times and built a reputation as one of the party’s most outspoken conservative voices. She has charted a course that mixes economic stimulus, tax reform and a stronger security posture amid rising regional tensions, particularly involving China. Her victory comes as Japan’s voters endorsed her conservative platform despite economic headwinds and geopolitical uncertainties. Traditionally, India considers Japan as a “natural partner” in its quest for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. The bilateral relations are anchored in shared democratic values, civilisational links and a mutual interest in a free and open Indo-Pacific. Under the ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership,’ the two sides have steadily expanded cooperation in defence, infrastructure, technology and economic security over the past decade. Defence cooperation has included joint maritime exercises and participation in multilateral frameworks such as the Quad — a strategic dialogue that also brings in the United States and Australia — aimed at ensuring stability in the broader region. Over the years, economic and technological links have also grown manifold. Japan is one of India’s top investors and has helped finance major infrastructure initiatives, including metro systems.

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