Prime Minister Takaichi faces criticism over G7 absence

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is facing intense scrutiny in the Diet regarding her absence from an online G7 summit held on October 2. Opposition lawmaker Kiyomi Tsujimoto of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan characterized the absence as a “de facto abandonment of duty,” noting that the summit addressed critical issues such as global energy security and market stability.

Tsujimoto pointed out a significant gap in the Prime Minister’s schedule, noting that Takaichi attended a dinner with LDP officials at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence shortly before the summit. While the Prime Minister cited technical preparation issues and the last-minute nature of the meeting as reasons for her absence, critics argue that the G7 framework remains a top-tier international forum that requires direct leadership.

Reports on Takaichi’s first year in office also highlight a distinct leadership style characterized by shorter hours at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence compared to her predecessors. Unlike former Prime Ministers such as Yoshihide Suga or Fumio Kishida, Takaichi reportedly spends more time at her residence reviewing documents independently and engages in significantly fewer formal dinners and meetings with ministry officials.