2025-12-03
9 分钟NPR.
Japan's economy has been going sideways since the 1990s.
Economic growth was barely there, and it was even grappling with deflation, prices falling.
But now, for the first time in about 30 years, inflation has started to bite.
And that helped pave the way for a new prime minister with a colorful and radical streak.
In October, Senai Takahichi became leader of the Conservative Liberal Democratic Party, or LDP.
She was soon sworn in as Japan's first female prime minister.
In one of her early speeches, she said she's throwing away the phrase work-life balance for herself.
She's seeing she's throwing away the work-life balance and she would work and work and work.
As the most indolent member of the indicator staff, I simply cannot relate.
Her secret is true story, drumming heavy metal.
She was also a TV personality and has sung karaoke in front of the nation.
Takahichi is nationalistic and telegenic, so naturally,
she and US President Donald Trump got along famously when Trump visited Japan in October.
She presented Trump with a gold leaf golf ball and a putter that belonged to the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe,
who was her mentor.
Less positive is Takahichi's relationship with China.
Beijing is steaming after her comments on Taiwan.
And on Japan's ailing economy, Takaichi's moves have been no less bold.
This is The Indicator from Planet Money.