US EditionJapan's Takaichi Wins Landslide in Snap Election, Exit Polls Show
The coalition could secure up to 300 of 465 seats, enabling a rightward shift in security and economic policies amid tensions with China and U.S. pressure on defense spending.
- On February 8, 2026, NHK projected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party and Japan Innovation Party coalition could secure as many as 366 of 465 seats in the lower house of parliament, with the LDP alone winning up to 328 seats.
- Takaichi called the vote after three months in office to seek a mandate for tax cuts, defence spending, and immigration measures.
- Record snowfall in parts of Japan snarled traffic and forced some polling stations to close early, but voters who trudged through snow in Uonuma still cast ballots during Sunday voting.
- Markets reacted to the coalition securing 310 seats, which could override the upper chamber; Keidanren welcomed the stability while Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi urged rapid defence policy moves.
- Analysts warned that China responded with countermeasures by summoning Tokyo's ambassador and urging citizens not to travel, while Donald Trump, U.S. President, endorsed Takaichi and announced her March 19 White House visit amid strong US-Japan trade and security ties.
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176 Articles
Japan’s ‘Iron Lady’ Sanae Takaichi forges stunning election win
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s coalition swept to a historic election win on Sunday, paving the way for promised tax cuts that have spooked financial markets and military spending aimed at countering China. The conservative Takaichi, Japan’s first female leader who says she is inspired by Britain’s “Iron Lady” Margaret Thatcher, was projected to deliver as many as 328 of the 465 seats in parliament’s lower house for her Liberal Democra…
Japanese prime minister's party scores sweeping election win, reports say
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s governing party has secured a single-party majority in a key parliamentary election. Takaichi says she is now positioned to pursue her policies.
Japan Polls 2026: PM Narendra Modi Congratulates Japanese Counterpart Sanae Takaichi As Coalition Projects Historic Win, Says Ties Vital for Peace and Prosperity
In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi on her projected landmark electoral win and reaffirmed the importance of the partnership that established eight all-nation lines of effort for the next decade. Japan Polls 2026: PM Narendra Modi Congratulates Japanese Counterpart Sanae Takaichi As Coalition Projects Historic Win, Says Ties Vital for Peace and Prosperity.
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