Japanese voters delivered a resounding victory to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on . The outcome of the snap election, called just three months after Takaichi became Japan’s first female prime minister, has reshaped the country’s political landscape and signals a potential ideological shift.
Takaichi’s decision to call an early election was considered a gamble, particularly given recent scandals plaguing the LDP and the loss of its longtime coalition partner, Komeito, in late 2025. However, she successfully leveraged her personal popularity to secure the largest LDP victory in the party’s postwar history.
The LDP now controls 316 of the 465 seats in the Lower House, giving it a two-thirds supermajority. This significant advantage allows the party to override opposition in the Upper House and paves the way for serious discussions on constitutional amendment. Experts predict the election results will have a profound impact on both domestic and security policy.
The scale of the LDP’s win was unexpected. The party secured enough seats in single-member districts that it exceeded the number of candidates available on its proportional representation lists, winning 14 more seats than it had candidates to fill. This demonstrates the breadth of support for Takaichi and the LDP across the country.
Conversely, the opposition suffered a major setback. The merger of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito into the Centrist Reform Alliance (CRA) proved disastrous, resulting in the loss of over two-thirds of the 167 seats previously held by the two parties. The CRA now faces the challenge of rebuilding and finding new leadership while operating as a significantly diminished force in the Diet.
With a strengthened mandate, Takaichi will prioritize managing the crucial Japan-US alliance. Her upcoming official visit to the United States on and meetings with US President Donald Trump are particularly significant, especially given Trump’s prior endorsement of Takaichi. While Trump has expressed concerns about the pace of Japan’s pledged $550 billion investment in the US, discussions are underway to address these issues. Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, is currently in Washington D.C. Meeting with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to explore potential agreements.
Takaichi and Trump also share a common ground in the need to strengthen Japan’s defense capabilities. Takaichi intends to revise the country’s “Three Documents” outlining its security and defense policy and may even pursue constitutional revision. Article 9 of Japan’s 1947 Peace Constitution restricts the country’s military capabilities, and Takaichi has suggested that a crisis involving Taiwan could be considered a “survival-threatening situation,” potentially justifying the mobilization of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces.
This stance, however, has already drawn criticism from China, leading to diplomatic outrage and economic sanctions. The LDP’s decisive victory suggests that the Japanese public is not inclined to yield to such pressure, and Takaichi appears determined to maintain a firm stance.
Beyond security concerns, Takaichi will also focus on improving relations with South Korea. She hosted Korean President Lee Jae-myung in Nara in January, demonstrating her commitment to personal diplomacy. President Lee is expected to reciprocate with a visit to Takaichi’s hometown of Andong later this year. However, the right wing of the LDP could potentially complicate the relationship by pushing for sensitive issues such as visits to Yasukuni Shrine or raising historical and territorial disputes.
Domestically, Takaichi faces the challenge of addressing Japan’s economic concerns, particularly rising inflation and the increasing cost of essential goods like rice. One potential solution being considered is the suspension or elimination of the tax on food, although this would require balancing revenue needs with other government priorities, including defense, economic security, and industrial investments. While markets have reacted positively to Takaichi’s victory, potential conflicts could arise between the government’s expansionary spending plans and the Bank of Japan’s desire to raise interest rates.
The path ahead for Takaichi will be complex. She must navigate the delicate balance of maintaining a strong alliance with the United States, managing relations with China and South Korea, and addressing pressing domestic economic challenges. As she herself put it, it’s time to “work, work, work, work, work.”
