International relationsTakaichi stays home to handle parliamentary standoff as ruling parties' strong-arm tactic backfiresJapanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi did not attend the NATO summit held July 7-8 in Turkey. (Nikkei montage. Source photos by Reuters and Kyodo)RUKA SHINOZAKIJuly 9, 2026 04:30 JSTTOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi missed an opportunity to deepen ties with European leaders at this week's NATO summit in Turkey as she stayed home to deal with a parliamentary standoff that has stalled her legislative agenda.