Dominating the polls
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is on track for a major victory in Sunday’s snap elections, with early estimates suggesting her ruling bloc has secured around 300 of 465 seats in the lower house. If confirmed, this would give the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) its strongest showing since 2017, under the leadership of Takaichi’s mentor, the late Shinzo Abe. The projected two-thirds majority could allow the LDP to govern without relying heavily on its junior partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP).
LDP Secretary General Shunichi Suzuki highlighted that voters had endorsed Takaichi’s fiscal policies and efforts to strengthen national defence. Meanwhile, the main opposition alliance—combining the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) and former partner Komeito—lost more than two-thirds of its seats, and the anti-immigration Sanseito party modestly increased its presence, according to NHK.
Reviving the LDP’s popularity
At 64, Takaichi has breathed new life into the LDP after recent declines linked to rising prices and corruption scandals. Once on the party’s ultra-conservative fringe, the former heavy metal drummer and admirer of Margaret Thatcher has expanded her appeal, particularly among younger voters, since becoming Japan’s first female prime minister last October.
Her early months in office included a $135 billion stimulus package to tackle inflation and a campaign pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food. With Japan’s public debt more than double the size of its economy and long-term bond yields hitting record highs, Takaichi now faces the challenge of delivering tangible results on both the economic and inflation fronts.
Regional tensions loom
Takaichi’s victory is also likely to draw attention beyond Japan. Known for her hawkish stance on China, she sparked controversy just two weeks into office by suggesting Japan could intervene militarily if Beijing attempted to take Taiwan by force. China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, responded angrily—summoning Tokyo’s ambassador, warning its citizens against travel to Japan, conducting joint air drills with Russia, and even reclaiming Japan’s last two pandas.
As Takaichi consolidates political power at home, she will need to balance domestic expectations with increasingly delicate regional diplomacy.
