Tokyo – In a subtle shift from recent precedent, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attended her first private dinner since taking office last month, signaling a potential move toward more conventional political engagement. The Prime Minister dined Wednesday evening with key members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, including Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, as the Diet nears the conclusion of an remarkable session focused on a supplementary budget. This gathering comes as takaichi has notably maintained a more private routine in her first weeks in office, prioritizing evening study and planning over the frequent social engagements of her predecessors.
(Tokyo=AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attended her first evening meal outside of her official residence since taking office roughly a month and a half ago, local media reported Thursday.
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Takaichi dined with senior members of the Liberal Democratic Party on Wednesday night, including Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, Secretary-General Ichiro Suzuki, and campaign chief Keiji Furuya.
Approximately 20 people attended the dinner, which lasted about 90 minutes, according to the Asahi Shimbun.
The Mainichi Shimbun reported that the gathering likely aimed to solidify support among key party officials as an extraordinary parliamentary session nears its conclusion, with debate on a supplementary budget set to begin next week. This move could signal a strategy to strengthen party unity ahead of potentially contentious legislative proceedings.
Since assuming office on November 21st, Takaichi has distinguished herself from previous prime ministers by returning to her residence after work each evening, drawing public attention to her routine.
Sources say she spends her evenings studying policy issues and preparing for parliamentary questioning, a departure from the more social approach favored by her predecessors.
Previous Japanese leaders often used evening gatherings with fellow lawmakers and business leaders as opportunities for networking and gathering information.
Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, for example, attended more than ten dinners a month after returning to power in December 2012.
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