Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s snap election gambit appears to have paid off, with her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) winning a majority of seats in parliament, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported on Sunday.
Why It Matters
Takaichi is Japan’s first female prime minister and a conservative hardliner, with her election victory solidifying her mandate in Japan. Her party’s victory will have key implications for Japan’s domestic, fiscal and foreign policy over the coming years as Takaichi, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, seeks to bolster the nation’s economy and military amid ongoing tensions with China.
What to Know
Takaichi called the snap election only after about three months in office last year. She became prime minister after winning an LDP leadership election in October 2025 among party members and lawmakers. Her victory was seen as potentially bringing in a new era of conservatism for Japan after the LDP, which has faced tumult including funding and religious scandals, the Associated Press reported.
Her decision to call a snap election was widely viewed as a bold attempt to capitalize on her popularity before it faded.
“I’m putting my future as prime minister on the line,” she said in a press conference last year, per The Independent. “I want people to decide directly whether they can entrust the management of the country to me.”
That strategy paid off, with the snap election delivering her party solid returns this weekend.
Japanese broadcaster NHK predicted her LDP could expand its majority in the nation’s 465-seat lower house to anywhere from 274 to 328 seats following the elections. The Centrist Reform Alliance (CRA) is projected to follow with only 37 to 91 seats, according to the broadcaster.
Takaichi has discussed foreign policy goals such as lifting a ban on weapons exports, moving away from the country’s pacifist approach and increasing defense spending, the AP reported.
The right-wing Sanseito Party was also projected to win at least five seats, up from two, reported NHK.
Heavy snowfall in Japan forced some polling places to close early, fueling concerns about the impact to voter turnout, reported The New York Times. Yoshihiko Noda, a leader of the CRA, raised concerns about peoples’ ability to vote, warning that “not being able to do so is a denial of democracy.”
Trump Weighed In on Japan Elections
Takaichi received the endorsement of Trump, who described her as a “strong, powerful, and wise Leader, and one that truly loves her Country” in a Truth Social post earlier in February. The endorsement is part of Trump’s pattern of supporting conservative leaders abroad, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Argentine President Javier Milei.
Trump congratulated her on her victory last year, saying she was “a highly respected person of great wisdom and strength.” At the time, she said she was “very pleased to receive his kind words” and looked “forward to working together to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”
“Truly hoping to work together with President Trump to make our Alliance even stronger and more prosperous, and to advance a Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” she wrote to X.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote in a Truth Social post: “The Great Country of Japan is having a very important Legislative Election on Sunday, February 8, 2026. The results of this Election are very important to the future of Japan. The Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, has already proven to be a strong, powerful, and wise Leader, and one that truly loves her Country. I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Takaichi to the White House on March 19th. In my visit to Japan I, and all of my Representatives, were extremely impressed with her. In addition to National Security, the United States and Japan have worked closely together on making a very substantial Trade Deal, one that strongly benefits both Countries. Prime Minister Takaichi is someone who deserves powerful recognition for the job she and her Coalition are doing and, therefore, as President of the United States of America, it is my Honor to give a Complete and Total Endorsement of her, and what her highly respected Coalition is representing. SHE WILL NOT LET THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN DOWN!”
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in an interview with NHK:“I think the current Cabinet is a good team. It’s still only just over three months since it was launched, but the members have been working really hard and are producing results. So I don’t think I will change it. Most parties are in favor of reducing the consumption tax, such as reducing the tax on food items to zero, or to 5 percent, or reducing the tax on all items to 5 percent. The LDP has also campaigned for a consumption tax cut. I strongly want to call for the establishment of a supra-party forum to speed up discussion on this, as it is a big issue.”
Nakano Hiromasa, co-secretary general of the CRA, told NHK: “I think we have to take the results humbly and seriously, although the final results have yet to come and are being projected. Vote counting is still ongoing in many districts that are closely contested. I will keep closely watching developments, hoping our candidates win as many seats as possible.”
What Happens Next
The full impact of the Japanese election will be felt over the coming weeks. She has cast issues including national security and the state of Japan’s economy as key focuses of her leadership.
In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it’s not “both sides,” it’s sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.
When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations. Help keep the center courageous. Join today.
Read the full article here
