Noah Sneider
Showing 1–2 of 2 transcripts.
- The Economist9 min
How will Japan's prime minister change her country?
Noah Sneider, Rosie Blau, Rosie Bloor
Sanae Takaichi has become Japan's first female Prime Minister, marking a strategic rightward pivot for the Liberal Democratic Party that has already fractured its long-standing coalition with Komeito. Her agenda combines aggressive defense spending, a revival of "Abenomics," and strict social conservatism, while navigating delicate tensions with the United States and historical disputes with Asian neighbors. Although her administration aims to address domestic inflation, the survival of her government faces significant uncertainty due to internal party fractures and public skepticism regarding her right-wing populist appeal.
- The Economist8 min
How will South Korea’s new president balance China against America?
South Korean reformist Lee Jae-myung secured a landslide victory in a snap election that served as a direct referendum against President Yoon Suk-yo's failed martial law declaration, effectively ending a period of political instability marked by Yoon's impeachment. Transitioning from a progressive populist to a pragmatic moderate, Lee now faces the dual challenge of reviving a battered economy and navigating a complex foreign policy landscape characterized by looming U.S. tariffs and shifting security alliances. Despite inheriting a nation grappling with the world's lowest fertility rate and deep domestic division, his administration aims to stabilize relations with the United States while maintaining balanced ties with China to address these overlapping crises.