As was exemplified in her summit with Lee and other leaders, Takaichi’s diplomatic style is to thrust her approachability to the forefront with frequent friendly gestures to try to forge close ties with her counterparts.

But Japan’s first female prime minister has been accused of “excessive flattery” to many among her domestic audience who expect their leader, representing their country, to act more dignified.

Some rebuke her for what appears to be playing the “woman card” to curry favor with powerful politicians, a tactic that they suspect she honed in Japan’s predominantly male political world.

She’s nice and her country of chauvinists is big mad she isn’t dour.