Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi Wins Landslide Election

Japan’s ruling conservative coalition has significantly tightened its hold on power following a sweeping victory in Sunday’s general election, widely seen as a strong early endorsement of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s leadership.

By early Monday, Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) had secured 316 seats in the 465-member lower house, well above the 261 required for an outright majority and the party’s strongest performance since its formation in 1955. Together with coalition partner Japan Innovation Party, which won 36 seats, the government now commands a two-thirds supermajority, giving Takaichi the ability to override the upper chamber and fast-track her legislative agenda.

Celebrations broke out at LDP headquarters as a smiling Takaichi marked each victory on a results board while party officials applauded. The 64-year-old, who became Japan’s first female prime minister last autumn and quickly called a snap election, had pledged to step down if her coalition failed to win a simple majority—despite voting taking place amid freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall across much of the country.

While the decisive win strengthens her political mandate, challenges loom. Concerns persist over Takaichi’s handling of Japan’s fragile public finances and her approach to strained relations with China, particularly over Taiwan. During the campaign, she promised a 21tn yen (£99bn) stimulus package to ease cost-of-living pressures and later proposed suspending the 8% consumption tax on food for two years, a move that would cut annual revenue by about 5tn yen.

The ambitious spending plans unsettled markets and fuelled currency volatility, prompting debate over fiscal discipline in a country whose debt exceeds twice its GDP. Addressing supporters as exit polls pointed to victory, Takaichi said: “We have consistently stressed the importance of responsible and proactive fiscal policy. We will prioritise the sustainability of fiscal policy. We will ensure necessary investments. Public and private sectors must invest. We will build a strong and resilient economy.”

Her assertive foreign policy stance has also drawn attention. After high-profile meetings with Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, Takaichi sparked tensions with Beijing by suggesting Japan could become militarily involved if China attempted to invade Taiwan. China responded by discouraging tourism and study in Japan, disrupting exchanges and ending long-standing “panda diplomacy”. Despite this, her refusal to back down appears to have resonated with voters.

Trump congratulated her victory online, wishing her “great success in passing your Conservative, Peace Through Strength Agenda”. Analysts say her supermajority gives her breathing room until the next upper house elections in 2028, though markets could react sharply if she proceeds with tax cuts.

Heavy snow and blizzard conditions made Sunday’s poll—Japan’s first mid-winter election in 35 years—a test of endurance, disrupting transport nationwide. Still, voter turnout rose to an estimated 55.6%, with more than 27 million people voting early, according to NHK.

Takaichi’s growing popularity, especially among younger voters, has revitalised the LDP after years of setbacks under her predecessor Shigeru Ishiba, whose tenure was marred by scandal and rising living costs. As in past elections, a divided and lacklustre opposition also played a role in the ruling party’s commanding victory.