Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hopes that 2026 will live up to its namesake as the Year of the Fire Horse ¡ª one of positive energy and vitality.
But while she is coming off a successful 2025, unfinished domestic business, including a controversial bill to reduce parliamentary seats, and foreign policy challenges ¡ª from China to Venezuela ¡ª could sap some of those good feelings.
¡°This year, the Year of the Fire Horse signifies that the positive energy carried over from the previous year will develop more distinctly and vigorously,¡± she said at her first news conference of the year during a visit to Ise Shrine in Mie Prefecture.
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