Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Friday she was ready to come "face-to-face" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in an effort to build "new, fruitful Japan-North Korea relations".

Our guest expert looks at her political approach, as well as her personal side. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

China has issued a strong warning to Japan after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan an "existential threat." Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian accused Japan of "provocation" and warned Tokyo to "bear all consequences" if it intervenes militarily in the Taiwan Strait.

Japan ranks low in gender equality among developed nations. The first woman to lead the country is an ultraconservative who cites Margaret Thatcher as a role model. She also loves heavy metal.

Far more Japanese companies are optimistic about business conditions under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi than pessimistic, with the vast majority aiming for next year's pay hikes to at least match this year's,

Kazuyu Shimba, secretary general of the Democratic Party for the People, criticised her for disregarding her staff’s well-being. “If the prime minister starts at 3 a.m., staff must start from 1.30 a.m. or 2 a.m.,” he said, as quoted by the Chosun Daily. “People cannot endure that physically.”

Reacting to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's series of irresponsible remarks about China, international affairs commentator Du Ping told China Daily's Li Wei that Takaichi was fearless but ignorant.

The Japanese prime minister’s comments about military intervention were unusually direct for such a sensitive topic.