Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, has secured a sweeping victory in Sunday’s snap lower house elections, according to preliminary results cited by Japanese media.
Public broadcaster NHK said the LDP alone won 271 seats in the 465-member lower house, crossing the 261-seat threshold needed for an absolute majority, reported news agency AP.
This marks a sharp jump from the party’s pre-election tally of 198 seats.
Along with coalition partner Japan Innovation Party (JIP), the ruling bloc is expected to comfortably clear the two-thirds majority mark of 310 seats, allowing it to pass legislation without opposition backing for the first time since 2017.
In a televised interview with NHK, Takaichi said she was now ready to pursue her policy agenda, adding that she would push forward her goals while remaining “flexible” in seeking opposition support.
Boost for Takaichi after turbulent years for LDP
The outcome marks a major turnaround for the LDP, which had suffered electoral setbacks in recent years amid rising prices, funding scandals and controversies linked to religious groups.
Under Takaichi’s predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, the coalition lost its upper house majority last year and its grip on the lower house in 2024.
Takaichi, who became Japan’s first female prime minister in October, called the snap election after just three months in office to capitalise on her popularity.
According to AP, her playful yet tough style has resonated with younger voters, many of whom said they were previously disengaged from politics. At the LDP headquarters, a smiling Takaichi marked each winner’s name with a red ribbon as party executives applauded.
US hails ‘big victory’, alliance in spotlight
The election outcome drew praise from Washington. US treasury secretary Scott Bessent hailed a “big victory” for Takaichi, who he said was on course for a super majority.
“The prime minister called a snap election… and boy, has she had a big victory today,” Bessent said on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, adding that Takaichi had a “great relationship” with President Donald Trump.
“And when Japan is strong, the US is strong in Asia,” he added.
Takaichi later thanked Trump for his “warm words” endorsing her, saying she looked forward to visiting the White House this spring to further strengthen bilateral ties.
“I look forward to visiting the White House this spring and to continuing our work together to further strengthen the Japan–US Alliance,” she wrote on X, underlining that the partnership is “built on deep trust and close, strong cooperation”.
“The potential of our Alliance is LIMITLESS,” she added.
Economy and inflation remain voter concerns
Despite the decisive mandate, economic anxiety remains high among voters. Inflation and stagnant wages were major issues on polling day.
“With prices rising like this, what matters most to me is what policies they’ll adopt to deal with inflation,” Tokyo voter Chika Sakamoto said, as quoted earlier by AFP, noting that household incomes were not keeping pace with costs.
Takaichi has rolled out a $135-billion stimulus package and promised to suspend consumption tax on food. However, concerns persist over Japan’s public finances, with government debt exceeding twice the size of the economy and bond yields hitting record highs in recent weeks.
China, Taiwan and regional tensions in focus
The election result could further strain ties with China. Takaichi, viewed as a China hawk, has suggested Japan could intervene militarily if Beijing used force against Taiwan, triggering a sharp response from China.
Beijing previously summoned Japan’s ambassador, warned citizens against travelling to Japan and conducted joint air drills with Russia. The issue has raised concerns over regional stability, even as US President Donald Trump publicly praised Takaichi as a “strong, powerful, and wise Leader”.
Big mandate could push right-wing agenda
According to AP, the strong majority gives Takaichi room to push ahead with a right-wing agenda focused on boosting defence spending, revising security policy, lifting restrictions on weapons exports and tightening rules on foreigners.
She has pledged to revise defence and security policies by December to strengthen Japan’s offensive military capabilities and move further away from postwar pacifist principles.
The LDP’s right-wing partner JIP has said it will act as an “accelerator” for this push.
While Takaichi said she would try to win support for divisive policies, she has so far offered limited clarity on how soaring military spending will be funded or how diplomatic tensions with China will be managed.
As per AP, analysts warn that the landslide victory strengthens her position but leaves key policy questions unresolved, even as she now faces no electoral test until 2028.