Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that "we will consider policies to improve deterrence and response capabilities without ruling out any options" regarding the possibility of introducing nuclear-powered submarines, according to a Yomiuri Shimbun report on the 24th.

Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi. AP Yonhap News

The newspaper reported that Prime Minister Takaichi made these remarks in his first interview with an individual media outlet since taking office.

In their coalition agreement in October, Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, agreed to work together to possess submarines equipped with vertical launching systems (VLS) utilizing next-generation propulsion. This has been interpreted as effectively considering nuclear-powered submarines.

Defense Minister Shinzō Koizumi also expressed an inclination towards introducing nuclear-powered submarines, stating in the Diet last month, "Currently, South Korea and Australia, which do not possess them, will come to have them, while the United States and China already do."

In an interview with the newspaper, Prime Minister Takaichi also stated regarding foreign policy, "We will respond resolutely to illegal acts or violations of rules by some foreigners, while distinguishing this from xenophobia."

In an interview published by the Nikkei Shimbun (Nikkei) on the same day, he emphasized, "This does not mean irresponsibly issuing national bonds or cutting taxes," regarding the active fiscal policy being cited as a background for rising market interest rates and a weak yen.

In another interview with the Nikkei the previous day, Prime Minister Takaichi avoided specific comments on the possibility of a snap general election following the dissolution of the House of Representatives, saying, "What we are desperately doing now is the execution of the supplementary budget. We are focused on ensuring the public experiences the effects of economic measures."

With the approval ratings of the Takaichi cabinet maintaining an unusually high level, some within the Liberal Democratic Party have recently been raising the idea of an early dissolution of the House of Representatives.

The Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party do not hold a majority of the seats in the House of Representatives, requiring the cooperation of opposition parties to pass bills and budgets. To overcome this situation, the option of dissolving the House of Representatives and holding a general election again is emerging.

Regarding the strained Sino-Japanese relations, Prime Minister Takaichi stated, "Our policy of comprehensively promoting a reciprocal relationship with China and building a constructive and stable relationship remains unchanged."

Earlier, on the 7th of last month, Prime Minister Takaichi stated in a budget committee of the House of Representatives that a 'crisis of existence' where Japan could exercise its collective self-defense rights (use of force) could apply in the event of a 'Taiwan emergency.' Following this, China has been aggressively pressuring Japan.

China has judged that Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks interfered with the issue of Taiwan, which is its 'core interest of all core interests,' and has sequentially taken various pressure measures such as restricting tourism, visits of international students to Japan, and bans on films and performances.