Japan went to the polls on Sunday in snap elections, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) widely expected to secure a commanding win.
Opinion polls indicate the LDP is likely to surpass the 233-seat majority threshold in the 465-member lower house, with analysts suggesting the party and its coalition partner could even reach 310 seats, achieving a two-thirds supermajority. If realised, this would be the LDP’s strongest performance since 2017, during the tenure of Takaichi’s late mentor, Shinzo Abe. In a viral campaign video, Takaichi stated, “The future is something you have to build with your own hands. The LDP will lead the way.”
Since becoming Japan’s first female prime minister in October, Takaichi has exceeded expectations by resonating with voters. Her hardline stance on immigration has also helped curb the rise of the populist “Japanese first” Sanseito party. “We must properly examine whether foreigners are paying taxes, whether they are paying their health insurance premiums,” she said on the campaign trail.
Despite her popularity, concerns remain over her handling of Japan’s enormous public debt, which exceeds twice the country’s GDP. Her early months in office have also seen tensions with China escalate. Weeks into her premiership, Takaichi warned Japan might intervene militarily if China attempted to take Taiwan by force, prompting a furious response from Beijing, which summoned Japan’s ambassador and conducted joint drills with Russia.
US President Donald Trump has since endorsed Takaichi, calling her a “strong, powerful, and wise leader.” Analysts say the China episode has boosted her domestic support. Margarita Estevez-Abe, a political science professor at Syracuse University, noted, “Now she doesn’t have to worry about any elections until 2028.”
Voting stations closed at 8pm local time, with media predictions based on partial results expected shortly after. Japan appears set for a decisive victory for Takaichi and the LDP, consolidating her authority in the lower house.
