Urmas Teder, Journalist
Sanae Takaichi’s declining approval ratings offer an early warning for Japan’s new conservative government. According to the latest Mainichi poll, support for her cabinet has fallen to 41%, while disapproval has risen to 44%. The figures do not necessarily indicate an immediate political crisis, but they reveal a growing gap between the symbolic appeal of Takaichi’s agenda and the practical expectations of a society facing some of the world’s most difficult economic and demographic challenges.
Takaichi’s rise was built around a promise to restore national confidence: a stronger defence policy, a more assertive foreign policy, stricter immigration controls and a return to traditional values. For many supporters, her message represents a necessary correction after decades of economic stagnation and political caution. Yet Japan’s current challenges are not solved through identity alone. An ageing population, labour shortages and weak growth require policies that attract investment, innovation and international talent.
This is where some of the government’s recent decisions have created concern among businesses and foreign investors. Higher barriers for foreign entrepreneurs, stricter requirements for the Business Manager visa and a more restrictive approach towards immigration appear difficult to reconcile with Japan’s urgent need for workers and global expertise. A country facing one of the fastest demographic declines in the world cannot afford to send the message that international talent is less welcome.
The same tension can be seen in the debate over the Imperial Household. Princess Aiko enjoys considerable public support, yet conservative forces continue to oppose reforms that would allow women or descendants through the maternal line to inherit the throne. For critics, the debate reflects a broader contradiction: Japan seeks to present itself as a modern global power while maintaining institutional traditions that no longer fully correspond with the expectations of a changing society.
Takaichi’s supporters argue that Japan needs to protect its identity at a time of rapid social transformation and growing geopolitical uncertainty. Her critics respond that national identity should not become an obstacle to economic openness, social adaptation and international competitiveness. The challenge is not whether Japan should preserve its traditions, but whether those traditions can coexist with the realities of a globalised economy.
Japan’s future will not be determined only by how strongly it defends its symbols, but by whether it can adapt to the realities of the 21st century. Flags can inspire citizens, but they cannot replace workers, investment or economic growth. Sanae Takaichi’s challenge is therefore not simply to defend a vision of Japan’s past, but to convince a changing society that her government can build its future.
