Back in parliament, Takaichi will face her biggest test yet

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is heading back to parliament on Monday, where she will face a series of challenges that could test her ability to turn momentum into results. | AFP-JIJI

Oct 1, 2026

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is set to begin the next session of parliament on Oct. 5 with a new Cabinet and a stable approval rating. She enters the session with confidence but faces a series of challenges that could test her ability to turn momentum into results.

Unlike the ordinary session of parliament, which focuses first on passage of the national budget, the extraordinary session will turn immediately to key issues that the government wants to address before the end of the year. With just 69 days on the clock, her new Cabinet will be put to the test to avoid missteps in making headway on significant policy and legislative decisions.

At the top of the list is the legislation needed to actualize Takaichi’s decision to reduce the consumption tax rate for food to 1% for two years.

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