Sanae Takaichi

Takaichi didn’t offer a specific reason for her absence

Japan’s public debt, at roughly twice the size of its economy, is the largest in the developed world

Tokyo wants Washington watching its back, but not necessarily looking over its shoulder

Katayama declined to comment on whether global rises in government bond yields were discussed as well

Sanae Takaichi also reappoints Satsuki Katayama as finance minister, a move likely to be welcomed by bond markets

Tokyo is also set to release a new midterm roadmap for defence spending by the end of this year

The opposition has been unable to form a solid bloc against her

It’s part of Takaichi’s efforts to ease the cost of living

A magnitude-7 class quake could disrupt the PM’s office, parliament, central ministries and financial institutions in the capital