Paulina Rogoziecka

3-minute read

Key Points

• Liberal-Democratic Party’s Ishiba Shigeru’s last message to Japan’s citizens before stepping down as Prime Minister encourages reflection on the past and security.

• The message’s resonance has been limited by LDP’s turbulent coalition break-up and new alliance with Japan Innovation Party.

• The new Prime Minister, Takaichi Sanae, representing conservative wing of the LDP, promises stronger ties within the U.S.-Japan alliance and focus on the Indo-Pacific, underscoring national resilience.   

• Takaichi reiterates Japan’s stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as “unilaterally challenging the status quo by force”. Her emphasis on economic security, technological development, green energy and supply-chain resilience also signals potential for strengthened cooperation with Europe.

Timeline

15 Aug. Expected Ishiba history statement not released → 7 Sept.  Ishiba announces resignation → 4 Oct. Takaichi wins LDP leadership → 10 Oct. Ishiba delivers history statement → 10 Oct.  LDP–Kōmeitō coalition collapses → 21 Oct.  Takaichi becomes Japan’s first female Prime Minister → 24 Oct. Takaichi’s policy speech 

 

Ishiba’s Historical Lens Geared Towards Tomorrow

The long-anticipated statement by Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, originally expected on August 15, was postponed and delivered on October 10. Partially due to LDP’s internal dynamics as well as intense pressure from LDP's conservative backbenchers, Ishiba did not issue a Cabinet decision – as was customary for the previous three anniversaries – but rather a personal opinion. 

Unlike his predecessors on the 50th (Murayama Tomiichi, 1995), 60th (Koizumi Junichirō, 2005) and 70th (Abe Shinzō, 2015) anniversaries, Ishiba offered no symbolic apologies to other Asian countries. Introspective and analytical, this cautionary statement offered examination of five domains of failure in pre-war Japan – constitution, government, parliament, media, and intelligence. While highlighting improvements since 1945, Ishiba stressed the importance of constant vigilance through civilian oversight of the military, media, politicians’ responsibility, and informed society. 

Domestic and regional reactions were mixed. Liberal outlets and politicians, while appreciative of the introspective tone, were disappointed by the lack of apologies, the statement’s low rank and lateness. Conservative commentators in Japan, including some LDP lawmakers, were critical, fearing renewed demands for apologies from neighboring states. Chinese and South Korean media noted a lack of explicit apologies, and some outlets criticized this as avoiding accountability, while some acknowledged the critique of prewar militarism. Several South Korean media sources appreciated Ishiba’s appeal to honesty and liberal values.

Takaichi’s Pragmatic Conservatism and National Resilience

The collapse of LDP–Kōmeitō coalition on October 10 overshadowed Ishiba’s remarks. Subsequent negotiations with Japan Innovation Party set the course for policies undertaken by Takaichi Sanae’s new government even before she was elected Prime Minister on October 21.

The Japan Innovation Party shares Takaichi’s conservative stance on historical issues. As a long-time protégé of Abe Shinzō, Takaichi is associated with Japan’s nationalist-conservative current. Although she has downplayed her views during LDP leadership race and distanced herself from the controversial Yasukuni Shrine (where Class-A war criminals are enshrined among the war dead), her overall approach contrasts with Ishiba’s introspection. 

In her October 24 policy speech, Takaichi tried to frame history less as moral reflection and more as strategic reinforcement of national resilience. She noted that 2025 marks the 100th year of Japan’s Shōwa Period (1926-1989), which “included war, its end, reconstruction, and rapid economic growth”. Takaichi invoked learning from the wisdom of predecessors while reaffirming Japan’s pledge to peace and stability. 

Her vision positions Japan as a center of diplomacy confronting global challenges while clearly defining allies and adversaries. Although she underscores peaceful and diplomatic solutions, emphasis is on Japan’s economic growth, defense and security. China, North Korea and Russia are identified as a serious threat while the United States, followed by South Korea and other Asian partners, remain central to Japan’s security framework. This marks both continuity and shift in priorities toward Indo-Pacific. 

Europe’s place in Takaichi’s Policies

Takaichi’s policy speech included only one item directly addressing Europe. A reaffirmation to uphold Japan’s critical stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which “unilaterally challenged the status quo by force”. Although consistent with Japan’s narrative on changing borders and narrative on territorial dispute over the Northern Territories (Kuril Islands), further criticism of Russia runs against Japan’s longstanding aim to conclude a peace treaty with Moscow which Takaichi also underscores.

While the domestic turn and reliance on the U.S.-Japan alliance dominate the agenda, Europe will not be excluded from future cooperation where strategic and economic interests align. As the war in Ukraine continues, further coordination in policy between Japan and European partners will likely become an important point of convergence. Strengthening economic security vis-à-vis China also remains a core concern, opening potential for deeper collaboration with Europe in defense, technology, supply-chain security and green energy.

While Takaichi’s economic policies are framed primarily around Japan’s national growth, they also promote international expansion and standard-setting. As Japan remains open for global investors, this indicates further opportunities for technological and industrial cooperation, since similar priorities in innovation, energy transition, and secure supply chains are also shared by European nations.

Conclusion: Between Reflection and Pragmatism

Prime Minister Ishiba’s statement offered a deeper reflection on Japan’s internal reasons for entering the war. Balancing between domestic and international expectations, Ishiba Shigeru chose a cautious middle ground. By avoiding explicit apologies, he fell short of the expectations of Japan’s liberal public and foreign partners, yet he acknowledged the country’s current political realities, warning against populism, extreme nationalism, and institutional erosion. His remarks thus became a meaningful contribution to Japan’s ongoing debate over memory, historical responsibility, and the role of leadership in sustaining democracy. 

On the other hand, Takaichi’s outlook heralds a more assertive approach by the new government. For her, history is a tool for reinforcing national confidence, linking postwar reconstruction to the continuity of a peace-oriented and prosperous Japan. Strong emphasis on resilience, technological growth, and economic security is a pragmatic turn, rooted in Abe Shinzō’s politics where strength guarantees stability. While this approach prioritizes the U.S.-Japan alliance, Takaichi aims to broaden global multilateral cooperation, primarily concerning Indo-Pacific. Her domestic growth agenda creates room for economic cooperation with like-minded partners, such as European nations.