Japan’s economy contracted for the first time in six quarters, supporting Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s case to compile an ambitious economic stimulus package.

Japan's economy shrank 0.4 percent in the three months to September, official data showed Monday, as new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government prepares a major stimulus package. The quarter-on-quarter reading for gross domestic product beat market expectations of minus 0.6 percent but was the first contraction since the first quarter of 2024.

Public approval for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet has climbed to 69.9%, marking a 5.5-point increase from a survey conducted shortly after she took office last month, according to a Kyodo news agency poll released Sunday.

On Saturday, the People's Liberation Army Daily ran a frontpage commentary urging Takaichi to clarify whether Japan intends to repeat the mistakes of militarism, to again make enemies of the Chinese and other Asian peoples, and to subvert the postwar international order.

By Leika Kihara TOKYO (Reuters) -As Japanese authorities once again battle a slide in the yen, their efforts this time are struggling for traction, undermined by new prime minister Sanae Takaichi's promotion of advocates of big fiscal and monetary stimulus to key posts.

Japan ranks low in gender equality among developed nations. The first woman to lead the country is an ultraconservative who cites Margaret Thatcher as a role model. She also loves heavy metal.

The leader of Japan's main opposition party on Sunday criticized Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for what he described as "rather rash" remarks about Japan's response to a Taiwan contingency, as the comments have grown into a bilateral diplomatic spat.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Monday she would work on setting a new fiscal target extending through several years to allow more flexible spending, essentially watering down the country's commitment to fiscal consolidation.