Ichiro Suzuki Japan’s House of Representatives (Lower House) elected Sanae Takaichi as the country’s new leader on October 22. Two days later, in her first address to the Lower House, she declared to get Abe’s active diplomacy back again. By the end of the month, the new Prime Minister went through a whirlwind of diplomatic activities. She first flew to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to introduce herself to ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) leaders. While there were no s

Ichiro Suzuki Newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has created a new cabinet post, Immigration Minister. The PM appointed an outspoken woman to the post. Former model Kimi Onoda, 42, wears another hat of the Minister of Economic National Security. Appointing a relatively young woman to heavyweight positions displays the new PM’s seriousness in promoting women.  In the House of Councillors (the Upper House) election in July, immigration was one of the issues. Though Jap

Ichiro Suzuki On October 21, Japan’s Diet (Parliament) has elected a woman as the country’s Prime Minister, for the first time ever at last. It is a remarkable feat in a land of persisting male chauvinism to have the first female leader. While female prime minister may have lost novelty elsewhere by now, the United States, France, China and Russia are yet to elect a woman as President.  Sanae Takaichi is also the first female president of the Liberal Democratic Party that has

Ichiro Suzuki Indonesians marched the streets in Jakarta lately, displaying their anger against the new president Prabowo. Rising prices are afflicting their life. Though inflation overall was up a relatively ‘reasonable’ 2.6% in September, food prices rose a more acute 5%. Growth of the Indonesian economy has slowed to 5%, not high enough for a country that aspires to be a middle income country. Indonesia’s per capita income was $5,000 in 2024. Global South is full of promis

Ichiro Suzuki Upon rising to the post of Japan Exchange CEO in 2021, Hiromi Yamaji didn’t hide his disaffection with low valuations given...