Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took a bold risk on Sunday, calling a snap election just 110 days into her historic term as the nation’s first female leader. The gamble paid off handsomely, as voters delivered a powerful mandate, fully endorsing her economic platform and firm positions on immigration and relations with China.
Her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) achieved a stunning landslide victory, securing an absolute majority in Japan’s 465-seat House of Representatives, the powerful lower house of Parliament. According to public broadcaster NHK, the party clinched at least 310 seats, a significant leap from its previous 198.
This decisive outcome paves the way for Ms. Takaichi to implement her conservative agenda across defense and social sectors. It also bolsters her standing on the international stage, especially given the vocal endorsement of her candidacy by former President Trump.
The victory marks a remarkable turnaround for the LDP, a party that dominated Japanese politics for most of the last seven decades but had recently faced a string of tough losses, pushing it into the rare position of holding a minority in both parliamentary houses.
Speaking to NHK after her triumph, Ms. Takaichi explained her decision to call the snap election, stating it “would be wrong to simply drag things along without seeking a public mandate.” She also admitted to having “felt a sense of unease for a while” concerning the legitimacy of her government.
Now backed by a significantly stronger party, Ms. Takaichi is poised to advance aggressive government spending initiatives and broad national security legislation with minimal opposition. By collaborating with the Japan Innovation Party, she is likely to command a supermajority, enabling her to rapidly push through her key priorities.
Tobias Harris, founder of Japan Foresight, commented on the situation: “The LDP won’t obstruct her path, and the opposition will have virtually no power to impede her agenda.” He added, “Her primary challenges will stem from external factors like financial markets, Washington, and Beijing.”
Ms. Takaichi is actively seeking to ensure former President Trump upholds American military and economic commitments in Asia, with a meeting scheduled for March in Washington. Trump himself previously endorsed her on Truth Social, hailing her as a “strong, powerful and wise leader.”
Following her electoral success, Ms. Takaichi publicly acknowledged Trump’s support, stating on X that “the potential of our Alliance is LIMITLESS.”
The Prime Minister is currently navigating the repercussions of China’s retaliatory actions against Japan. These measures were triggered by her November statement supporting Taiwan, a self-governed democracy that Beijing considers its own, implying Japan’s potential military intervention if China were to attack.
In response, China imposed a series of punitive measures, including restrictions on Japanese seafood imports, a reduction in tourism to Japan, and limitations on the export of crucial minerals.
Her supporters are optimistic that this victory will send a clear message: Tokyo will not yield to Chinese threats.
Aoi Nakamura, a 22-year-old Tokyo college student who voted for the Liberal Democrats, asserted, “Japan should maintain a firm stance without making any compromises.”
At 64, Ms. Takaichi’s rise to victory was significantly boosted by her popularity among younger generations, who admire her as a charismatic and dynamic leader.
Akira Tamagawa, another 20-year-old Tokyo college student, remarked, “She’s clearly distinguished herself from the traditional image of the LDP. She expresses her views with remarkable clarity.”
Despite facing icy roads and strong winds, citizens across Japan turned out to vote. While heavy snowfall delayed the opening or forced early closure of many polling stations, Japanese news outlets estimate voter turnout reached approximately 56 percent, a slight increase from the 54 percent recorded in the 2024 House of Representatives election.
Mitsuru Go, an 80-year-old retired fishmonger from Tokyo and a staunch lifelong supporter of the Liberal Democratic Party, expressed his hope that Ms. Takaichi would now be able to govern with greater efficacy, thanks to her enhanced majority.
He stated, “Instead of taking small, incremental steps, it will be better to act as a larger, unified force, pursuing her objectives and ensuring they are accomplished.”
Takaichi’s victory coincides with a rising tide of influence for right-wing factions in Japan. Sanseito, a political party often compared to the MAGA movement, significantly increased its parliamentary presence, securing at least 11 seats, up from two. This party now wields considerable influence, pressing Ms. Takaichi to swiftly address stagnant wages and implement stricter immigration policies.
With her strengthened position, Ms. Takaichi is expected to advance other long-held conservative ambitions, such as passing an anti-espionage law and potentially revising the Constitution’s pacifist clause, thereby allowing Japan’s military greater operational freedom.
Economic issues dominated the campaign landscape. Ms. Takaichi advocated for ambitious government spending programs designed to stimulate growth, though these plans have also raised concerns about Japan’s already substantial national debt.
As a staunch advocate for fiscal stimulus to overcome Japan’s prolonged deflation, Ms. Takaichi secured a record supplementary budget last year. She is also fast-tracking initiatives to boost military spending and drive significant state-backed investments in artificial intelligence and semiconductor production.
Meanwhile, Japanese households are grappling with increasing costs for essential goods, including energy and fresh produce.
The public now eagerly awaits Ms. Takaichi to fulfill her campaign promises. While her resounding victory might embolden her to fast-track her agenda through the Diet, Japan’s legislature, some observers caution against overreach.
Shigenobu Tamura, an independent political analyst and former LDP official, advised that Ms. Takaichi “must always remain humble” in her leadership of the Diet.
He concluded, “If she loses sight of that, things will not proceed smoothly.”