Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi received both commendation and criticism in parliament on Tuesday following her high-profile diplomatic debut, which included hosting U.S. President Donald Trump during her first week in office.
The 63-year-old leader, Japan’s first female prime minister, has drawn strong domestic approval for her energetic start, but opposition lawmakers accused her of “flattery diplomacy” after reports she planned to nominate Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, a move confirmed by the White House.
During a parliamentary session, Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, congratulated Takaichi on her “big smiles” and “energetic diplomacy,” noting Trump’s public praise of her. “I believe you are off to a good start in building a personal relationship,” Noda said.
However, he sharply criticised her reported plan to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, calling it “too careless,” especially after Trump suggested the U.S. might resume nuclear testing, a deeply sensitive topic in Japan given its World War II history.
When asked if she still intended to proceed with the nomination, Takaichi did not comment.
Takaichi, who assumed office last week, held a bilateral summit with Trump and attended two regional meetings, showing her efforts to strengthen Japan’s alliances amid growing regional tensions.
Her talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung were viewed positively, with all sides pledging to maintain “stable and forward-looking” relations. Analysts noted that her softer tone marked a shift from her past nationalist positions.
Takaichi, a longtime conservative who once defended Japan’s wartime record and visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, has taken a more diplomatic approach since assuming office. Last month, she opted to send a religious ornament to the shrine instead of visiting it personally, a gesture widely interpreted as an attempt to ease friction with Beijing and Seoul.
Public support for Takaichi remains high. Recent polls show her approval ratings hovering around 70 to 80 percent, though backing for her ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has remained flat at about 20 to 30 percent.
Her coalition government, formed with the Japan Innovation Party, lacks a majority in both houses of parliament, making cooperation with opposition lawmakers essential to advance legislation.
Africa Digital News, New York
