■林國賓
原文：
In Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership election on October 4, Sanae Takaichi, a conservative former economic security minister, won with strong support from party lawmakers and members. She is set to become Japan’s first female prime minister, succeeding Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned amid scandals and low approval ratings.
Takaichi is considered very friendly towards Taiwan. She visited Taipei in April, meeting with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, as well as former President Tsai Ing-wen. In July, Takaichi was photographed meeting with Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, who was on an unpublicized visit to Japan.
"Taiwan is an extremely important partner and a valued friend for Japan," Takaichi herself said in an interview with the Hudson Institute during her election battle.
Takaichi is a protege of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. She entered politics in 1993 as an independent, joined the LDP in 1996 and has won 10 terms in the House of Representatives. She has served as economic security minister, state minister for trade and industry, and a record tenure as internal affairs and communications minister. Takaichi supports constitutional changes to strengthen the military.
During Takaichi’s visit to Taiwan in April, she called for a "quasi-security alliance" between Japan, Taiwan and other democratic countries. Both Japan and Taiwan "need to strengthen their respective self-defense capabilities," she added.
中譯：
日本自民黨10月4日舉行黨魁選舉，前經濟安全保障大臣高市早苗，在黨內國會議員與黨員的強力支持下勝出，可望接替因醜聞與低支持度而辭職的石破茂，成為日本首位女首相。
立場友臺的高市早苗，4月曾訪問臺北，與總統賴清德及前總統蔡英文會面；7月又被拍到與赴日考察的外交部長林佳龍會晤。
高市早苗在選戰期間接受美國智庫哈德遜研究所專訪時也表示：「臺灣是日本極為重要的夥伴與珍貴的朋友。」
高市是前首相安倍晉三的門生，1993年以無黨籍身分從政，1996年加入自民黨，至今已連任10屆眾議員。曾出任經濟安全大臣、經濟產業副大臣，且是史上任期最長的總務大臣。高市主張修改憲法以強化軍事力量。
4月訪臺期間，高市呼籲日本、臺灣及其他民主國家建立「準安全同盟」，且日本與臺灣「都需要強化各自的自我防衛能力」。
-關鍵軍語-
※constitutional changes：修憲
※quasi-security alliance：準安全同盟