Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, dubbed the nation’s ‘Iron Lady’ for her resolute leadership, achieved a stunning landslide victory in a snap election. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) captured 316 seats in the 465-member lower house, marking its strongest performance since 1947 and granting a two-thirds supermajority alongside coalition partner Komeito.
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Snap Election Gamble Delivers Mandate
Takaichi called the election just 110 days after assuming office in October 2025 as Japan’s first female prime minister. Facing a minority government following prior LDP setbacks, she sought a public mandate to advance her agenda. Voters responded decisively, delivering the LDP coalition 352 seats overall and rejecting opposition parties.
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Markets Surge on Victory
The win sparked a rally in financial markets. The Nikkei 225 index soared 3.9% to a record 56,363 points, briefly topping 57,000, while Asian bourses followed suit. The yen strengthened against the dollar amid expectations of bold fiscal policies, though bond yields rose on concerns over debt funding.
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Military Boost Amid China Tensions
The supermajority clears the path for Takaichi’s hawkish defense policies. Officials indicate plans to accelerate remilitarization, revise Japan’s pacifist constitution—including Article 9—and boost defense spending. Takaichi has vowed to make Japan ‘safe, strong, and prosperous,’ signaling readiness to activate self-defense forces if China invades Taiwan.
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These stances have heightened tensions with Beijing, which issued travel warnings and increased patrols near disputed areas. China urges Japan to avoid ‘reckless’ actions, warning of regional fallout.
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Economic Reforms Take Center Stage
Takaichi pledges a 21 trillion yen stimulus package and a two-year suspension of the 8% sales tax on food to combat inflation and stagnant growth. The agenda targets deregulation, wage hikes, and support for exporters via a weaker yen, while addressing Japan’s aging population and high debt levels.
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Takaichi stated, ‘I will persistently work to revise the constitution,’ underscoring her commitment to transformative change. The victory positions her as one of the world’s most powerful conservative leaders, with endorsements from figures like U.S. President Donald Trump bolstering her international profile.
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