Japan‘s incoming prime minister faces pressure to prioritize long-term strategy over short-term gains
Japan has seen frequent changes in leadership in recent years, demanding a shift towards sustained policy planning. (Photo by Uichiro kasai)
Akio fujii
September 16, 2025 10:30 JST
TOKYO – Japan is poised for its sixth prime minister in five years, as the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) selects a new leader. While the next president’s ascension hinges on securing support from opposition parties, the incoming leader’s most critical task will be to move beyond reactive, short-term policymaking adn address Japan’s pressing long-term challenges.
Successive administrations have been criticized for prioritizing policies designed to appease voters in the immediate term, frequently enough at the expense of strategic planning for demographic shifts, economic stagnation, and evolving geopolitical risks. This pattern has left Japan struggling to adapt to fundamental changes and requires a decisive shift in approach.
