Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasized that she will "continue new challenges," carrying on the will of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who died in a 2022 shooting.
According to NHK and other outlets on the 11th, Prime Minister Takaichi made the remarks while attending a gathering in Tokyo held to carry on the will of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, marking the fourth anniversary of his death.
Takaichi, who regards Abe as her "political mentor," said, "From Abenomics' bold monetary easing to permitting the limited exercise of collective self-defense, Prime Minister Abe boldly took on tasks that divided national opinion." She added, "When you take on challenges, harsh criticism follows," and said, "I feel the weight of that responsibility every day."
She further added, "A country that does not take on challenges even in the face of criticism has no future," and, "I want to be a fighting politician like Prime Minister Abe." The remarks reiterated her intention to inherit Abe's rightward, conservative policy direction.
Takaichi revised the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and its operational guidelines, which had limited exportable defense equipment to five categories: rescue, transport, warning, surveillance, and minesweeping (removal of hazardous materials such as sea mines). This effectively permits the export of lethal weapons in principle. She also pushed for the establishment of a national intelligence agency, dubbed the "Japanese version of the CIA."
Takaichi also posted a memorial message on her X (formerly Twitter) account on the 8th, marking the fourth anniversary of Abe's death. She wrote, "More than eight months have passed since I took office as prime minister, but wherever I go in the world and whenever I hold talks with the leaders of other countries, I feel how great the achievements Prime Minister Abe left for Japan are."
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Abe was fatally shot with a homemade gun while campaigning on the street just before the House of Councillors (upper house) election in Nara, Nara Prefecture, on July 8, 2022.
