Storyline: Japan's newly appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces mounting uncertainty over her policy direction and the durability of the coalition government she now leads, according to a political expert. Takaichi, a staunch conservative and leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), was elected Japan's 104th prime minister on Tuesday after securing a majority in both houses of parliament. Her rise to power followed a coalition agreement between the LDP and the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), marking a significant shift in the country's political landscape. However, the JIP, as a a key partner in the new coalition government, has been facing declining support in recent years, which raises doubts about its long-term influence and the stability of the new coalition, according to Norihiko Narita, an honorary professor at Surugadai University, who served as policy adviser under the administration of former Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa. "Firstly, the JIP was founded only about a decade ago. However, its national influence is waning now. Whether such a party can maintain the long-term political influence remains an open question. Formed as the innovation party from Osaka, the party has struggled to expand its presence nationwide. And it's not just the JIP that faces declining influence. The LDP is also experiencing a drop in public support. Thus, even as the LDP forms a coalition with the JIP, it is difficult to predict how long the coalition can last," said Narita. On the economic front, Takaichi has long advocated for expansionary fiscal policies to stimulate growth. However, her approach has drawn criticism amid rising consumer prices. "Around 60 to 70 percent of Japanese are dissatisfied with rising prices, which means that curbing inflation and stabilizing the economy are very critical. However, it is quite challenging. In particular, Prime Minister Takaichi advocates for boosting the economy through increased fiscal spending, a strategy known as 'expansionary fiscal policy.' However, the more such policies are implemented, the more likely for the yen to depreciate, and a weaker yen leads to a broad increase in import prices," said Narita. Moreover, the administration faces lingering public distrust over unresolved political funding scandals, which previously contributed to the collapse of the LDP's long-standing alliance with Komeito. The JIP has pledged to push for reform on this issue, but the coalition's vague stance has sparked concern. "The issue of 'money and politics' has long been a source of public distrust, and is a key reason behind Komeito's decision to withdraw from its coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party. The JIP, now partnering with the LDP in the new coalition government, had previously vowed to press for reform on this issue. If the issue remains unresolved, serious doubts may arise over whether the Takaichi administration can be seen as effective, and whether it can continue to win public support," said Narita. With JIP's backing, Takaichi became Japan's first female prime minister, but Narita warned that the decision of the Osaka-born party to confine its role to cooperation outside the Cabinet could undermine the coalition's long-term stability. "Even with the JIP, the ruling bloc in the House of Representatives barely surpasses a majority, and may not even reach it. This makes it difficult to adopt a hardline stance to push through policies forcefully. The coalition between the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito lasted for 26 years, but a similar long-term partnership with the JIP seems unlikely. I believe this coalition structure is likely to change again after the next general election," he said. Shotlist: Tokyo, Japan - Oct 21, 2025: 1. Various of Japan's National Diet building 2. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Norihiko Narita, honorary professor, Surugadai University (ending with shot 3): "Firstly, the JIP was founded only about a decade ago. However, its national influence is waning now. Whether such a party can maintain the long-term political influence remains an open question. Formed as the innovation party from Osaka, the party has struggled to expand its presence nationwide. And it's not just the JIP that faces declining influence. The LDP is also experiencing a drop in public support. Thus, even as the LDP forms a coalition with the JIP, it is difficult to predict how long the coalition can last." Tokyo, Japan - Recent: 3. Various of Liberal Democratic Party building, security guard FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Date Unknown: 4. Various of traffic, pedestrians Tokyo, Japan - Oct 21, 2025: 5. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Norihiko Narita, honorary professor, Surugadai University (partially overlaid with shots 6-7): "Around 60 to 70 percent of Japanese are dissatisfied with rising prices, which means that curbing inflation and stabilizing the economy are very critical. However, it is quite challenging. In particular, Prime Minister Takaichi advocates for boosting the economy through increased fiscal spending, a strategy known as 'expansionary fiscal policy.' However, the more such policies are implemented, the more likely for the yen to depreciate, and a weaker yen leads to a broad increase in import prices." [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Saitama Prefecture, Japan - 2025: 6. Consumers shopping in budget supermarket FILE: Tokyo Metropolis, Japan - 2025: 7. Various of consumers shopping in supermarket, vegetables for sale [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] Tokyo, Japan - Oct 21, 2025: 8. Various of traffic 9. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Norihiko Narita, honorary professor, Surugadai University (partially overlaid with shot 10): "The issue of 'money and politics' has long been a source of public distrust, and is a key reason behind Komeito's decision to withdraw from its coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party. The JIP, now partnering with the LDP in the new coalition government, had previously vowed to press for reform on this issue. If the issue remains unresolved, serious doubts may arise over whether the Takaichi administration can be seen as effective, and whether it can continue to win public support." Tokyo, Japan - Recent: [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 10. Various of Liberal Democratic Party building [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 11. Various of security guards, pedestrians in front of Japan's Prime Minister Office Tokyo, Japan - Oct 21, 2025: 12. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Norihiko Narita, honorary professor, Surugadai University (partially overlaid with shots 13-14): "Even with the JIP, the ruling bloc in the House of Representatives barely surpasses a majority, and may not even reach it. This makes it difficult to adopt a hardline stance to push through policies forcefully. The coalition between the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito lasted for 26 years, but a similar long-term partnership with the JIP seems unlikely. I believe this coalition structure is likely to change again after the next general election," [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] Tokyo, Japan - Recent: 13. Sign reading "House of Representatives" 14. National Diet building [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] Tokyo, Japan - Oct 21, 2025: 15. Various of pedestrians, traffic [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]