Yamamoto’s Support for Takaichi Amid Political Differences

Taku Yamamoto is a Japanese politician aligned with the peace-oriented faction of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). He currently finds himself in a significant policy disagreement with the newly appointed Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi.

On Tuesday, Yamamoto pledged to set aside their differences and offer his full support to his wife, making a historical note as Japan’s first female prime minister.

In an interesting twist, Kyodo News reported that their relationship has had its share of ups and downs. They began dating in 2003, married in 2004, divorced in 2017, and then remarried in late 2021. At the time of their initial marriage, both were part of a faction led by former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori. Their bond deepened when Takaichi lost the 2003 election for the House of Representatives, leading to Yamamoto hiring his younger brother as an aide.

Although Takaichi is seen as a staunch conservative, Yamamoto is considered more dovish. Their differing political views became apparent during the 2012 LDP presidential election, where Yamamoto backed former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, contrasting with Takaichi’s support for Shinzo Abe.

Reports suggest that their political strife became so intense that they avoided discussing the leadership battle at home. When they divorced in 2017, they issued a joint statement pointing to “differences in political views.”

Yamamoto mentioned on Tuesday that now, as the prime minister, his role is to support her quietly, stating, “Unlike in Western countries, it’s better for partners here to stay out of the spotlight.” He described himself as a “stealth husband” and expressed his intention to help without drawing attention to himself.

He added, “She’s worried about my health, so I need to be cautious not to overexert myself.” At 73, he is nearly a decade older than Takaichi and has faced health challenges, including a stroke and a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Interestingly, Yamamoto holds a chef’s license and humorously assured Takaichi that he would “provide delicious food for the rest of his life.” One of the rules of their marriage is that the kitchen is his domain, and he prefers she stays out while he cooks.

Takaichi recounted their early days, noting that she initially found Yamamoto to be somewhat “unsocial.” This was evident when he proposed over the phone, stating, “If you’re seriously looking for a partner, I’d like to propose.”

After their divorce, he proposed again, offering to support her during her first attempt at leading the LDP in 2021, although he lost his seat in the subsequent election.

An intriguing aspect of their relationship is Takaichi’s desire to uphold traditional Japanese laws regarding surnames. While the couple is usually referred to by their last names in political contexts, she took Yamamoto’s surname during their first marriage, subsequently switching to his last name when they remarried in 2021. Now, he is known as Taku Takaichi.

He humorously noted that he adopted her last name after she won a game of rock-paper-scissors, pointing to the lighthearted dynamics that underpin their partnership.