Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Wins Supermajority in Snap Election

On February 8, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, were projected to win at least 310 of the 465 seats in Japan’s lower house of parliament, the House of Representatives. This supermajority will give Takaichi’s government firm control of the chamber and the ability to override legislative blocks imposed by the upper House of Councillors. The LDP, which has governed Japan almost continuously since 1955, is projected to secure a majority on its own, marking a notable improvement after previous elections in which it steadily lost support amid slush-fund scandals and an anemic economy.

Several factors contributed to Takaichi’s victory, including her work ethic, her appeal to younger voters and new policies aimed at easing concerns over the cost of living and immigration.

Takaichi’s personal background as Japan’s first female prime minister, combined with her reputation for hard work, has resonated with voters who view older LDP leaders as out of touch. Unlike many in her party, Takaichi rose from humble beginnings, emphasizing her government’s pledge to “work, work, work, work, work.” This message has proved especially effective with younger voters: 84 percent of respondents in their 20s and 78 percent of those in their 30s support Takaichi’s government, compared with 67 percent of voters overall. She has also made heavy use of social media, turning political memoirs into viral moments, including appearances playing K-pop music with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and posting selfies with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

On policy, Takaichi has promised to address the cost-of-living crisis by cutting consumption taxes on food and sponsoring investment in critical industries. She has also adopted a hawkish, pro-U.S. foreign-policy stance, increasing defense spending to $70 billion, or 2 percent of GDP. Her comments about potentially defending Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion have angered Beijing but have proved popular with voters at home.

Immigration has also emerged as a prominent issue. Although immigrants account for less than 4 percent of Japan’s population and the country faces persistent labor shortages, voters have grown increasingly concerned about rising immigration and what they see as a decline in respect for Japanese values and culture. During the LDP leadership campaign, Takaichi was the only one of five candidates to pledge to “protect the traditions that made Japan an irreplaceable country.” A November 2025 Asahi Shimbun poll found that 56 percent of respondents believe Japan needs fewer visitors and immigrants, while 66 percent support Prime Minister Takaichi’s tougher stance. Her approach may have helped the LDP win back votes from Sanseito, a far-right “Japanese First” party that has accused immigrants of an “invasion.”

Whether Takaichi can deliver on her promises remains uncertain. Japan’s high government debt and aging population have raised concerns about fiscal responsibility. Suspending consumption taxes alone would cost more than $30 billion a year, potentially driving up government bond yields and prompting questions about the state’s ability to meet its spending commitments.

Extemp Question: How will Sanae Takaichi use her newly won ruling mandate in Japan?

Read more here:

• Staff, The Economist

• Sheila A. Smith, Council on Foreign Relations

• Junko Fukutome and  Jason Douglas, The Wall Street Journal