Takaichi wins big with Trump’s backing; Northeast Asia braces for realignment

Описание: 트럼프 지지 업은 다카이치 압승… 동북아 외교 지형 요동

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon.
Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party has just secured a sweeping supermajority under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in a recent snap election.
With her political future on the line, Takaichi turned the race into a personal referendum — and came out stronger than ever.
Now backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, and with a White House summit already on the calendar, Tokyo’s foreign and domestic trajectory may be shifting in bold new ways.
But what does this mean for South Korea?
For the U.S.-Japan alliance? And how are China and Russia responding?
On Within The Frame tonight, we’ll break down what this election reveals, what it triggers, and where the region is headed next.

For this, we're joined by Bong Youngshik, Research Fellow at the Yonsei University Institute for North Korean Studies. Welcome.

Also joining us is Kim Mikyoung, Senior Researcher at the Korea Social Sciences Research Institute at Gyeongsang National University. Good to see you.


(BONG). Let’s begin with the election outcome itself Dr.Bong.
Despite initial public backlash over the snap election, Prime Minister Takaichi led the LDP to a landslide victory.
What were the key factors that helped secure such overwhelming support?

(KIM). Now to the broader political meaning behind it, Dr.Kim, would you say this election marks a turning point in Japan’s domestic politics — possibly signaling a generational shift toward a more assertive conservative leadership?

(KIM). And politically, this landslide win gave the LDP a supermajority in the Lower House.
Dr.Kim, how likely is it now that Prime Minister Takaichi will move forward with constitutional revision — especially on the issue of formally recognizing Japan’s Self-Defense Forces?

(BONG). Let’s shift to Japan’s foreign relations, starting with the U.S.
After the election, Takaichi publicly thanked President Trump and announced plans for a summit at the White House.
Dr.Bong, how do you see the Takaichi-Trump dynamic shaping the next phase of U.S.-Japan cooperation?

(BONG). Meanwhile we are expecting a controversial event in a matter of days, February 22nd, Japan’s so-called “Takeshima Day.”
This annual event, tied to Japan’s territorial claims over Dokdo, has long been a source of tension between the two countries.
Dr.Bong, if the Takaichi government sends a cabinet-level official this year, what kind of diplomatic message would that send to Seoul?


We'll have to leave our discussion right here, many thanks to Dr.Bong and Dr.Kim, we appreciate it.

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2026-02-10, 20:30 (KST)