Morteza Rahmani Movahed, the former Iranian ambassador to Japan, said: Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s new prime minister, is an updated version of Shinzo Abe in political, social, cultural, and international relations matters, and little difference will be seen in Japan’s approach on the international stage.

Takaichi and Japan’s Path of Nationalism
The former Iranian ambassador to New Zealand and Japan, in an interview with the Foreign Relations Strategic Council website regarding the impact and role of Takaichi, a veteran politician of the Liberal Democratic Party who is likely to become Japan’s new prime minister from late October, said: On October 4th, Ms. Takaichi, who was the Minister of Economic Security, succeeded with 185 votes in defeating the Minister of Agriculture in her own party and was elected as the first woman leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Referring to the process of Takaichi’s election in the Liberal Democratic Party, he stated that the Komeito Party had formed a 25-year coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party; however, due to conditions set by the Komeito Party that the Liberal Democrats did not accept, the coalition broke down, and the Komeito Party left it. The question is whether a new coalition will lead to Takaichi’s premiership?
Rahmani Movahed said: Taro Aso, an influential figure in Japan, has announced his readiness for the premiership, and we must wait and see what ultimately happens.
The seasoned diplomat, referring to Takaichi’s  past visits to Yasukuni Shrine, emphasized: “This shrine is the burial place of World War II criminals, and visits by Liberal Democratic politicians have always been watched by Japanese society and its neighbors, including South Korea and China.” Shinzo Abe also sometimes visited this shrine for worship, and Takaichi’s visit was a sign that the Komeito Party would not meet the coalition conditions.
He stated: Takaichi, in political, social, cultural, and international relations matters, is an updated version of Shinzo Abe, with high nationalism, a return to tradition, and the coexistence of tradition and modernity. The sense of nationalism has increased in Japan in recent years, and investment in defense and military programs has risen to amend Article 9 of the constitution so that Japan can have an independent military force. Focus on historical discussions, and the revival of Japan’s greatness is emphasized, and Takaichi’s election facilitates the policies established by Shinzo Abe.
Rahmani Movahed noted: The Japanese have placed the hundred-year program, launched after World War II, for the revival of the country’s historical greatness at the forefront of their work. They have adjusted it with America in a way that does not create concern and adheres to the strategic treaty with America. They believe a strong Japan enables America to perform better in the region and towards China and North Korea, and there is no need to worry about the growth of militarization. The main axis of the Japanese strategy is the transformation of the Self-Defense Forces into an official national defense army, which, even if symbolic, with the increase in the defense budget, indicates a major transformation in Japan’s post-World War II defense doctrine.

Japan’s Interaction with China
In response to the question of how Japan’s interaction with China will be while the US is in tension with China, he said: It is unlikely that Japan will create significant tension. Economic cooperation and mutual interaction with China will continue. But Japan will follow US policy.
The former Iranian ambassador also spoke about Japan’s mediating approach: Mediation has a personal element and depends on individual interests, but it is also tied to America’s view. After Trump’s election in 2020, Japan’s policy, which had expected Hillary Clinton to win, quickly changed, and the then-prime minister met with Trump before he officially assumed the presidency, signaling personal relations and friendship. Abe’s mediation in Tehran also stemmed from his personal relationship with Trump.
He emphasized that Takaichi pursues the same part of the Shinzo Abe version that relates to nationalism and the return to greatness and historical traditions. Her election had an impact on Japan’s financial and monetary policy, but experts believe it is manageable.
The former Iranian ambassador noted: On the international stage, at least for the next 20 years, Japan will not make any efforts that cause concern for America and will organize its defense capabilities and military independence in such a way as to be the strong hand of America and the West in East Asia.
In response to a question about financial and tariff tensions between the US and China, he said: Japan will not take any action that questions its strategic alliance with America. Between 2017 and 2022, we witnessed a shift in Japanese capital from China to other East Asian countries, so Japan followed US policies to avoid tensions in its relations with America.
Rahmani Movahed, regarding the impact of US tariff policies on Japan’s imports, said: US tariffs do not harm Japan. Tariffs are between the US and China and do not significantly affect countries aligned with the US. It is more relevant in strategic items, especially semiconductors, and Japan is essentially an importer of these items.