Japan's 'Iron Lady' Takaichi wins landslide victory

Kate Adie introduces stories from Japan, Saudi Arabia, Uganda, Poland and Pakistan. A snap election has given Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi the strongest majority for a Japanese government in more than 70 years, thanks to a growing fan-base among young voters. Shaimaa Khalil reports from Tokyo on growing cult around the country's first woman leader. The visit by the Prince of Wales to Saudi Arabia was among the most diplomatically sensitive of his official trips to date. While the focus was energy transition and improving prospects for young people, questions lingered over Saudi human rights, and controversies back home in the UK. Daniela Relph followed Prince William’s visit. Uganda has been feeling the bite of international aid cuts, imposed by the likes of the UK, the EU, and notably by President Trump. The closure of the USAID agency has disrupted an array of relief projects, including those providing treatment for HIV-AIDS. Bel Trew met some of the people directly affected. An art exhibition in the Polish city of Gdansk has ignited a row over the country’s role in World War Two. John Kampfner went to see the exhibit for himself and reflects on the country's fractious culture war. And the skies above Lahore in Pakistan have been filled with thousands of kites, as the festival of Basant returned. It’s the first time in two decades the celebrations have been allowed to go ahead - following a surprising spate of deaths. Caroline Davies joined generations of Lahoris in the celebrations. Producer: Serena Tarling Production coordinators: Katie Morrison and Sophie Hill Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

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Japan's 'Iron Lady' Takaichi wins landslide victory is an episode from From Our Own Correspondent Podcast by BBC.

This episode is 27:55 long.

This episode was published on Feb 16, 2026.

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