In a bold move that paid off handsomely, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan called a snap election just 110 days into her term. On Sunday, voters responded with a sweeping mandate, endorsing her aggressive economic policies and firm stances on immigration and relations with China.
According to results analyzed by NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster, Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) clinched an absolute majority in the 465-member House of Representatives. By late Sunday, the party had secured at least 289 seats, a significant increase from their previous 198. This decisive outcome empowers Ms. Takaichi to advance a conservative agenda, strengthening Japan’s military and tightening controls on immigration and tourism. She explained to NHK that she felt it “would be wrong to simply drag things along without seeking a public mandate,” indicating a desire to solidify her government’s legitimacy.
This victory marks a remarkable turnaround for the LDP, a party that has largely dominated Japanese politics for seven decades but recently faced several defeats, leaving it as a minority in both parliamentary houses. With renewed strength, Ms. Takaichi is now poised to implement robust government spending programs and expand national security legislation. Forming an alliance with the Japan Innovation Party, she is likely to command a supermajority, accelerating her policy priorities. Political analysts like Tobias Harris of Japan Foresight note that internal opposition will be minimal, with main constraints coming from external factors: financial markets, Washington, and Beijing.
**Economic Vision and Challenges**
Takaichi’s economic agenda, central to her campaign, was a key referendum point. She advocates for aggressive government spending to stimulate growth, including a record supplementary budget passed last year. Her plans also feature increased military investment and state-led initiatives in artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing. However, these expansionary policies raise concerns about Japan’s substantial national debt. A proposal last month to suspend certain consumption taxes, estimated to cost over $30 billion annually, caused government bond yields to surge as investors questioned its funding. Despite this, the Japanese stock market, including the Nikkei 225, has seen record highs under her administration, buoyed by a weaker yen and strong corporate earnings. Economists anticipate a moderation of inflation, potentially leading to wage growth finally outpacing price increases, improving household finances.
**Navigating Complex China Relations**
China’s influence heavily permeated the election discourse. Ms. Takaichi, known for her hawkish views, stated in November that Japan might intervene militarily if China were to attack Taiwan. This comment marked a departure from previous policy and triggered immediate reprisals from Beijing, including restrictions on Japanese seafood imports, discouraged tourism, and warnings about limiting critical mineral exports. While critics argue this stance unnecessarily exposes Japan to economic coercion, her supporters, including young voters, commend her firm approach. They believe a strong electoral win sends a clear message to Beijing: Tokyo will not be intimidated.
**Takaichi’s Unconventional Path to Power**
Ms. Takaichi’s ascent as Japan’s first female prime minister is a significant milestone in a country where women have historically struggled for political influence. Her early life was marked by a six-hour daily commute to university, a love for heavy metal, and a mother who initially restricted her independence. A protégé of the late Shinzo Abe, she emerged from humble beginnings in Nara Prefecture, a stark contrast to many elite politicians. She built a reputation as a pugnacious debater and, upon entering Parliament in 1993, formed a strong alliance with Abe, sharing nationalistic views on military spending and history. Her loyalty to Abe and her conservative policies propelled her forward, culminating in her leadership victory against four men following former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation. Her remarriage in 2021, with her husband adopting her surname, further defied Japan’s patriarchal norms. Her public life has drawn scrutiny, including a controversial remark about tourists kicking Nara Park’s cherished deer, but her supporters hail her as a strong leader.
**Election Day Challenges and Key Figures**
Election day itself was not without its hurdles. Heavy snowfall across much of Japan forced many polling stations to open late or close early, impacting voter turnout, which stood at a reduced 26.01% hours before polls closed. Despite this, the LDP’s momentum was undeniable. Meanwhile, the far-right Sanseito party, which aligns with some of Ms. Takaichi’s conservative policies, was projected to increase its seats, indicating a broader shift to the right in Japanese politics. In a notable victory for women in politics, Hikaru Fujita, a Harvard-educated former diplomat who garnered attention for running while pregnant, successfully won her parliamentary seat, highlighting a challenge to Japan’s patriarchal system. Even with the adverse weather and campaigning difficulties, Ms. Takaichi’s mandate is clear, setting the stage for a period of assertive governance.