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[AI Library] Appendix 2: Key Remarks by Sanae Takaichi
Beyond the Glass Ceiling
Appendix 2: Key Remarks by Sanae Takaichi
Kim Kyung-jin
Appendix 2: Collection of Key Remarks by Sanae Takaichi
This appendix organizes the key remarks that have drawn attention throughout Sanae Takaichi's political career by theme. For items where the original Japanese text has been confirmed, both the original text and its English translation are included. For items where the original text was difficult to confirm, the gist of the remark has been translated and marked separately.
On Visiting Yasukuni Shrine
「国家のために戦ってくださった方々に対して、敬意を表するのは当然のことです。靖国神社は平和の社です。」 "It is only natural to pay respect to those who fought for their country. Yasukuni Shrine is a shrine of peace." (Repeated response to reporters' questions on multiple occasions)
From her time as a first-term lawmaker to the present, Takaichi has consistently maintained her conviction regarding visits to Yasukuni Shrine. She continued her visits during the 50th anniversary of the end of the war in 1995, immediately after her first cabinet appointment in 2006, and while serving as Minister of State for Economic Security in 2024.
「靖国神社というのは、戦没者慰霊の中心的な施設であり、平和の社だ。どのように慰霊するのか、どのように平和を祈るのか、こういったことについては、適宜適切に判断させていただく。」 "Yasukuni Shrine is the central facility for mourning the war dead and is a shrine of peace. Regarding how to mourn and how to pray for peace, I will make appropriate decisions as the occasion demands." (Press conference after being elected LDP President, October 2025)
「絶対にこれは、外交問題にされるべきことではない。お互いに祖国のために命を落とした方に敬意を払いあえる、そういった国際環境を作るためには、私は一生懸命努力していきたい。」 "This must absolutely not be turned into a diplomatic issue. I want to work hard to create an international environment where we can mutually respect those who lost their lives for their respective homelands." (LDP Presidential election press conference, October 2025. Source: Nihon Keizai Shimbun, October 2025 report)
After taking office as Prime Minister, she adjusted her stance by prioritizing the creation of diplomatic conditions over immediate visits, stating, "I am working to prepare the environment for a visit."
The "Broadcast Suspension" Remark (February 8, 2016, House of Representatives Budget Committee)
This remark is considered one of the most controversial statements by a Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications in Japanese constitutional history. It originated from a response to an opposition lawmaker's inquiry: "If a program opposing the amendment of Article 9 of the Constitution is broadcast for a significant amount of time, could its broadcast be suspended?"
「どんなに放送事業者が極端なことをしても、公共の電波を使って、全く改善されないことを繰り返した場合に、それに対して何の対応もしないということをお約束するわけにはまいりません。」 "No matter how extreme a broadcaster's actions may be, I cannot promise that no action will be taken if they repeatedly use public airwaves for things that show no improvement at all." (Minutes of the House of Representatives Budget Committee, February 8, 2016)
「まったく将来にわたってそれがありえないとは断言できません。」 "I cannot definitively state that such a thing will never happen in the future." (Continuation of the same response, February 8, 2016)
This remark caused a major uproar as it was interpreted as not ruling out the possibility of a broadcast suspension order based on Article 76 of the Radio Act due to a violation of Article 4 of the Broadcasting Act (Political Impartiality). Organizations such as the Tokyo Bar Association and the Japan Federation of Commercial Broadcast Workers' Unions (Minpo-roren) issued protest statements, and the neologism "Takaichi Phobia" even emerged within the broadcasting field. The Japan Newspaper Workers' Union (Shimbun Roren) and the Japan PEN Club also issued a series of statements expressing concern over the infringement of freedom of expression.
Clarification of the "Broadcast Suspension" Remark (2016, Column on Official Website)
「極めて極端かつ限定的な状況を仮定したものです。放送法と電波法の一般論をお答えしたにすぎません。」 "It assumed an extremely extreme and limited situation. I was merely answering based on general theories of the Broadcasting Act and the Radio Act." (Column on Takaichi's official website, 2016. Source: https://www.sanae.gr.jp/column_detail802.html)
Takaichi explained that she was "explaining the general theory of the law as Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications," but criticism that the remark led to self-censorship by broadcasters persisted even after she became Prime Minister.
LDP Presidential Election Slogans and Remarks on Defeat
「日本列島を、強く豊かに。」 "Make the Japanese Archipelago Strong and Prosperous." (LDP presidential election slogan for 2021 and 2024)
「結果を重く受け止めます。党員票が足りなかったのは私の不徳の致すところです。」 "I take the results seriously. The lack of votes from party members is due to my own lack of virtue." (Immediately after the 2021 presidential election defeat)
「私は歩みを止めません。」 "I will not stop my progress." (In front of supporters immediately after the 2021 defeat. This remark is remembered as symbolizing her subsequent two comeback attempts.)
「私自身の力不足だ。多くの人に助けていただきながら申し訳ない。」 "It is my own lack of capability. I am sorry, despite having received help from so many people." (In front of reporters immediately after the 2024 runoff defeat)
On Economic Security
「技術は安全保障です。半導体を誰が作るかが、どの国が強いかを決める時代になりました。」 "Technology is security. We have entered an era where who makes the semiconductors determines which country is strong." (Gist of remarks related to the Economic Security Promotion Act, repeated in numerous lectures and Diet responses)
This remark condenses the core of Takaichi's economic security ideology into a single sentence, clearly revealing her worldview that economy and security cannot be separated.
「我が国の経済安全保障は、サプライチェーンの強靭化、基幹インフラの安全性確保、先端技術の開発支援、セキュリティクリアランスという4つの柱で立っています。」 "Our nation's economic security stands on four pillars: strengthening supply chains, ensuring the safety of core infrastructure, supporting the development of advanced technology, and security clearance." (Gist of remarks explaining the Economic Security Promotion Act)
On Constitutional Amendment
「自衛隊員たちが、憲法で否定された組織で働いています。その方たちの誇りのためにも、現実に合わせた憲法改正が必要です。」 "Self-Defense Force members are working in an organization denied by the Constitution. For their pride as well, a constitutional amendment that aligns with reality is necessary." (Gist of remarks on her conviction regarding constitutional amendment, repeated in numerous lectures)
「任期中に憲法改正の国会発議を実現させます。」 "I will realize the Diet's proposal for a constitutional amendment during my term." (Gist of her policy speech in October 2025)
Takaichi has consistently advocated for more proactive constitutional reform (such as explicitly mentioning a National Defense Force and establishing an emergency clause), going beyond merely specifying the Self-Defense Forces in the Constitution.
On Korea (Press conference upon taking office as Prime Minister, October 2025)
「韓国のりは大好きです。韓国コスメも使っています。韓国ドラマも見ています。」 "I love Korean seaweed (gim). I also use Korean cosmetics. And I watch Korean dramas." (Press conference upon taking office as Prime Minister, October 2025. Source: Nihon Keizai Shimbun, October 2025 report)
These remarks, in which Takaichi, known for her hardline conservative image, frankly expressed personal affinity for Korea immediately after taking office, were widely reported in the Korean media and served as an opportunity for public opinion in Korea to shift partially from "caution" to "expectation."
「日韓関係を未来志向で、安定的に発展させることは、今日本にとって大切なことだと思っています。」 "I believe that developing Japan-Korea relations in a future-oriented and stable manner is important for Japan today." (Gist of her inaugural press conference)
Remarks on a Taiwan Contingency (November 7, 2025, House of Representatives Budget Committee)
"If China uses warships to exercise force against Taiwan, it could clearly become a 'situation that threatens the existence' (存立危機事態) of Japan." (Gist of the remark. For the exact original text, please refer to the minutes of the House of Representatives Budget Committee)
This remark, made during a Diet response about two weeks after she became Prime Minister, was interpreted as the first time it was explicitly mentioned in an official setting that a Taiwan contingency could be a situation where Japan exercises its right to collective self-defense. China immediately issued a strong protest, triggering a diplomatic conflict between China and Japan.
As a Female Prime Minister
「私は女性であることで特別扱いを望みません. 能力で評価していただきたいのです。」 "I do not want special treatment for being a woman. I want to be evaluated based on my ability." (Gist of numerous interviews after taking office)
Takaichi has kept a certain distance from gender politics, identifying herself as a "conservative politician" rather than a "representative of women." This remark, which frames the historic event of becoming the first female prime minister as a result of "individual ability," reflects her consistent conservative individualism.
On the Selective Separate Surnames System for Married Couples
「家族が同じ姓を共有することは、絆の象徴です。それを壊せば、家族という単位が揺らぎます。職場での旧姓の通称使用の利便性を高める方向で解決すべきです。」 "Sharing the same surname among family members is a symbol of their bond. If that is broken, the family unit will be shaken. The issue should be resolved by increasing the convenience of using maiden names as common names in the workplace." (Gist of remarks opposing the selective separate surnames system)
Takaichi, who has consistently maintained her opposition to the introduction of the selective separate surnames system, has proposed expanding the use of maiden names (旧姓) as a practical alternative.
Remarks Related to the Japan-U.S. Summit (March 2026)
「最強の相棒」 "The Strongest Partner" (Remark made at a dinner hosted by President Trump)
This remark demonstrates Takaichi's style of diplomacy toward the U.S., which takes the strengthening of the Japan-U.S. alliance as its core diplomatic principle. Evaluations have noted that it contains a strategic intent to inherit the personal relationship of trust that Shinzo Abe had built with Trump.
Notes
In this collection of remarks, items where the original Japanese is specified are quoted based on actual speech records, minutes, or official press releases. Items where the gist of the content has been translated without the original text are marked separately. If an exact citation of the original text is required, please check the Diet minutes, the official website of the Prime Minister's Office, or the original reports of major Japanese newspapers.
References
- Sanae Takaichi Official Website Column (Clarification of the broadcast suspension remark): https://www.sanae.gr.jp/column_detail802.html - Tokyo Bar Association Protest Statement (Broadcast suspension remark): https://www.toben.or.jp/message/seimei/post-425.html - Minpo-roren Statement (Broadcast suspension remark): https://www.minpororen.jp/?p=293 - Nihon Keizai Shimbun Report on Yasukuni: https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUA25CPA0V20C24A9000000/ - Nihon Keizai Shimbun Report on Remarks regarding Korea: https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUA21C5K0R21C25A0000000/