Takaichi’s Foreign Policy Comes Into Focus In Japan – Analysis



Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arriving at the Prime Minister’s Office. Photo Credit: Prime Minister’s Office of Japan


November 10, 2025 
Geopolitical Monitor
By Jonathan Bak

The decision to elect Sanae Takaichi as Japan’s prime minister marks a significant moment in the country’s political and diplomatic trajectory. Known for her ambitious and conservative stance, Takaichi brings clear priorities to her new role of managing the evolving challenges of both domestic and international affairs. Among her challenges is Japan’s ongoing support for Ukraine in its efforts to repel Russia’s invasion.

Since 2022, Takaichi has advocated for Ukrainian security and a negotiated ceasefire, and her approach to foreign policy blends continuity with new strategic considerations. While Japan’s support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia are set to continue, Takaichi also seeks renewed diplomatic engagement with Moscow and its partners to address key bilateral issues. Yet despite any conciliatory initiatives, the Ukraine war will continue to loom large in Takaichi’s policy agenda.

Japan’s Record of Support for Ukraine

After Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea, Japan joined other G7 nations in imposing sanctions on Moscow. In the wake of the 2022 invasion, Japan increased pressure on Russia and to date, has imposed hundreds of sanctions on Russian individuals and entities. Japan is also one of the few non-European Union countries that holds frozen Russian assets.

Since 2022, Tokyo has increased support for Ukraine, providing $16 billion in economic assistance. It supplies non-lethal military assistance and signed a 10-year security arrangement with Kyiv in November 2024. Japan has also assisted in ordinance removal efforts since 2023. The country has joined cross-regional collectives such as the Coalition of the Willing and the Indo-Pacific Four, ensuring support for Ukraine in the present and future.

President Zelensky was gratuitous in congratulating Takaichi’s election success, indicating that it portended a strengthening of Ukraine-Japan relations. Soon after the prime minister and her cabinet took office, the country hosted the third annual Ukraine Mine Action Conference in Tokyo. During the conference, newly-appointed Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu affirmed that Japan will continue to assist in Ukraine’s de-mining operations. He announced the launch of the Ukraine Mine Action Support Initiative. This support package underscores that de-mining efforts will not just include ordinance removal; they will also focus on reconstruction, economic resilience, and the restoration of human security. In other words, de-mining efforts under Takaichi will emphasize a forward-looking perspective on post-conflict and reconstruction of Ukraine.


Takaichi’s Foreign Policy Blueprint

Takaichi’s first policy speech as Japan’s leader presented her plans for national security and foreign policy. She emphasized that military developments in Russia, China, and North Korea are serious concerns. Each country has played a role, directly or indirectly, in the Ukraine war. She stated that Japanese diplomacy will be restored in each case. Under her leadership, Japan and China will work to promote a mutually beneficial strategic relationship. While she denounced North Korea’s nuclear and missile development, she indicated her openness to meeting with Kim Jong Un to discuss the return of Japanese abductees. Regarding Russia, Takaichi asserted that the war of attrition must not expand into a cross-regional conflict. Though relations with Moscow are at an all-time low, she emphasized that territorial issues must be resolved and that a peace treaty must be enacted. For defense, she announced plans to increase spending to 2% of GDP.

Based on this speech, Takaichi’s views on foreign and defense policy appear to have adjusted. While she remains committed to enhancing military capabilities, she now places greater emphasis on diplomacy in bilateral matters, particularly with countries she has previously criticized. Interestingly, shortly before her speech, Russian aircraft conducted a fly by over the Sea of Japan, prompting a response from the Self-Defense Forces. After her address, the Kremlin acknowledged her pledge for bilateral peace. Despite her condemnation of the invasion and being bannedfrom Russia, her previously hawkish tone seems to have shifted toward a more pragmatic approach.

One possible reason for the shift may be a desire to better align Japan’s policies with its most important ally, the United States. Takaichi has sought to ensure a symbiotic relationship with President Donald Trump, aiming to address key bilateral matters such as finalizing the trade agreement and responding to his push for US allies to increase defense spending. She may also be strategically echoing Trump’s approach by pursuing bilateral relationships with other regional leaders, including Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, and Xi Jinping.

Another possibility is that she is modeling her approach on Shinzo Abe’s diplomatic endeavors by building a rapportwith Putin. During his time in office, Abe was the only world leader to consistently engage with Putin and to develop a personal relationship. Although the territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands was never fully resolved, there was notable progress in bilateral cooperation that has not been seen since. A third possibility is that Takaichi recognizes that the rhetoric and actions of a parliamentarian differ from those of a head of government, who must focus on what is best for the nation as a whole.

Efforts to engage with Russia could be a hit or miss. In the post-Abe years, longstanding issues with Russia have been persistent. These include the dispute with the Kuril Islands, Russian aircraft flying into Japanese airspace, the Russian navy conducting joint exercises with its Chinese counterpart in the Sea of Japan, and Japan being placed on the unfriendly countries list. Granted, dialogue could lead to a revival in bilateral relations, but Moscow has statedthat it can only commence once Tokyo stops the “anti-Russian rhetoric.”

Strategic Foresight

Despite Takaichi’s pledge to engage Russia through diplomacy, she made her support for Ukraine clear. Shortly after the policy speech, Takaichi attended the Coalition of the Willing meeting virtually. This event was her first major international appearance as prime minister and made her the first Japanese leader to participate in such meetings. European leaders praised her for choosing this assembly for her debut and reaffirming Japan’s support. Takaichi stated on the record that Japan’s support for Ukraine will also include building social and economic resilience. The members all agreed that they will continue to inflict economic pressure on Russia to end the aggression. Takaichi’s focus on post-conflict resilience, exemplified by Japan’s leadership at the Ukraine Mine Action Conference, reflects her commitment to preparing for Ukraine’s eventual recovery and regional stability.

Japan’s role in supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty appears unchanged, but it now places greater emphasis on strategic foresight. While Takaichi has expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with regional leaders, she has not diminished national security measures or pressure on Moscow. The war in Ukraine will affect the Indo-Pacific. Regardless of the war’s outcome, Russia and North Korea will emerge with experience in modern warfare, including grey zone tactics, drone warfare, and cyber capabilities. North Korean state media has already criticizedTakaichi, particularly her pledge to increase military capabilities and asserting that she is turning Japan into a “war state.”

Taiwan is another security issue that involves Japan. Many believe that a Taiwan contingency is still possible, which has been juxtaposed to the invasion of Ukraine. As China continues to enhance its military capabilities, plans have been drafted to evacuate the Sakishima Islands in the event that the situation escalates. In her first summit with Xi, Takaichi emphasized the importance of stability and security in the Taiwan Strait. However, Beijing was not pleased when she subsequently met with Taiwanese officials at the APEC Summit. Overall, once the Russia-Ukraine war ends, the geopolitical environment will shift, and Takaichi is preparing for new challenges that may arise.

This article was published by Geopolitica Monitor.com

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