Our guest expert looks at her political approach, as well as her personal side. In this wide-ranging conversation, Ravi speaks with Professor Tomohiko Taniguchi, foreign policy adviser to the Cabinet of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and one of the most authoritative voices on Japan about the ascend and likely impact of Sanae Takaichi.They discuss Ms Takaichi’s first diplomatic encounter with US President Donald Trump, her hardline approach to defence, and China, Japan’s shifting priorities in Asean as Philippines rises in salience and Indonesia declines, Tokyo’s dread of Trump’s ‘G-2’ talk, the future of the Quad security dialogue, and her approach to economic policy.They also discuss Ms Takaichi’s softer, personal side – her early life, propensity to ride powerful motorbikes, marriage to the same man twice and finally, the question: Now that Japan has its first woman PM, is it time to consider an Empress for Japan?Highlights (click/tap above):0:00 Intro1:00 Shinzo Abe’s protege? Yes, and no.5:00 Asean summit and first encounter with Donald J Trump10:00 Japan’s dread of Trump’s “G-2” talk12:00: Defence thrust, and the nuclear question18:30 China, Japan’s key neighbour22:30 For Tokyo, Indonesia dips while Philippines rises26:00 Is Quad dead in the water?31:00 Japan and foreigners36:10 Sanae Takaichi: woman, wife, rocker, biker41:20 After woman PM, an Empress for Japan?Host: Ravi Velloor (velloor@sph.com.sg)Read Ravi's columns: https://str.sg/3xRPFollow Ravi on X: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloorRegister for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewslettersProduced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani & Chen JunyiExecutive producer: Ernest LuisFollow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaXFeedback to: podcast@sph.com.sgSPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sgFollow The Straits Times on YouTube: https://str.sg/ytsubTurn on notifications 🔔 to stay updated.--------------------WEBSITE ➤ https://www.straitstimes.comWHATSAPP ➤ https://str.sg/whatsappTIKTOK ➤ https://www.tiktok.com/@straitstimesINSTAGRAM ➤ https://www.instagram.com/straits_timesFACEBOOK ➤ https://www.facebook.com/TheStraitsTimesTWITTER ➤ https://twitter.com/straits_timesTELEGRAM ➤ https://t.me/TheStraitsTimesPODCASTS ➤ https://str.sg/stpodcasts#straitstimes