Takaichi wins landslide, secures historic supermajority

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s gamble on a snap election 110 days into her tenure paid off Sunday: her Liberal Democratic Party won a rare supermajority in Japan’s 465-seat lower house, taking 316 seats, up from 198, the first post–World War II instance of any party surpassing two-thirds. Voters handed her a mandate for aggressive fiscal stimulus, tougher stances on immigration and China, and a conservative push on defense and social issues.

Takaichi said she called the election to seek legitimacy; she now faces few domestic constraints, with analysts noting only markets, Washington, and Beijing as checks. The Nikkei 225 surged 5% Monday.

Endorsed on Truth Social by Donald Trump—who meets her in Washington in March—Takaichi pledged to keep the U.S. engaged in Asia. She vowed firmness after China retaliated for her pro-Taiwan remarks with seafood import curbs, tourism discouragement, and critical-mineral export limits.

Supporters see the win as a signal Tokyo will not back down; young voters boosted her, citing clear communication and dynamism. Turnout was about 56% despite heavy snowfall; some polling stations opened late or closed early. Right-wing Sanseito, akin to the MAGA movement, rose to 15 seats from two, pressuring her to raise wages and curb immigration.

Takaichi, 64, plans expansive spending: record supplementary budgets, faster military outlays, and state-led investments in AI and semiconductors to break deflation, even as debt worries persist. Families seek relief from rising energy and fresh food costs.

Conservatives also want an anti-espionage law and a constitutional change to loosen pacifist limits on the military. Analysts urge caution against overreach; former LDP official Shigenobu Tamura said she must “remain humble” or risk setbacks. Retired fishmonger Mitsuru Go, 80, welcomed a strong majority to “get things done,” while students Aoi Nakamura and Akira Tamagawa praised her firmness and clarity. Takaichi’s LDP now controls the Diet’s lower house with virtually no opposition able to slow her agenda.