Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is poised for a major election win that could reshape regional politics and economic policy.
TOKYO: Japan voted in snap elections on Sunday with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) forecast to secure a commanding victory.
Opinion polls suggest the LDP will easily surpass the 233 seats needed for a majority in the 465-member lower house. Analysts cautiously project the party and its coalition partner could even reach the 310-seat threshold for a two-thirds supermajority.
This would mark the LDP’s best result since 2017 under Takaichi’s late mentor, Shinzo Abe. “The future is something you have to build with your own hands,” Takaichi said in a viral campaign video. “The LDP will lead the way.”
Since becoming Japan’s first female premier in October, Takaichi has defied expectations and connected with voters. Her tough stance on immigration has also helped slow 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 stated on the campaign trail.
However, concerns persist over her management of Japan’s massive public debt, which exceeds twice the size of its economy. Her early tenure was also marked by a sharp diplomatic spat with China.
Weeks into office, Takaichi suggested Japan could intervene militarily if China sought to take Taiwan by force. Beijing reacted furiously, summoning Japan’s ambassador and conducting joint drills with Russia.
US President Donald Trump has since endorsed Takaichi as a “strong, powerful, and wise Leader”. Analysts note the China episode boosted her domestic popularity. “Now she doesn’t have to worry about any elections until 2028,” said Margarita Estevez-Abe, a political science professor at Syracuse University.
Voting stations closed at 8pm local time with media predictions based on partial results expected shortly after.