LDP Wins Big in Snap Elections
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi appears set for a commanding victory in Sunday’s snap elections, with early media estimates suggesting her ruling bloc has secured a two-thirds majority in the lower house. If confirmed, this would be the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) strongest showing since 2017 under the late Shinzo Abe, Takaichi’s mentor. The party is projected to win around 300 of 465 seats, up from 198, potentially giving the LDP a super-majority even without its junior coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP).
LDP Secretary General Shunichi Suzuki credited the win to voter support for Takaichi’s “responsible, proactive fiscal policies and a strengthening of national defence capabilities.” Meanwhile, the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, including the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) and former LDP partner Komeito, suffered major losses, while the anti-immigration Sanseito party modestly increased its representation, NHK reported.
Restoring Popularity at Home
At 64, Takaichi has revitalized the LDP’s standing after the party had lost ground in recent elections due to inflation and corruption scandals. Once a heavy metal drummer and a figure on the LDP’s ultra-conservative fringe, she has emerged as a surprisingly popular leader, particularly with younger voters.
Since taking office last October as Japan’s first female prime minister, Takaichi rolled out a $135 billion stimulus package to ease inflation pressures and pledged to suspend the consumption tax on food. Still, Japan faces deep economic challenges: its national debt exceeds twice the size of the economy, and long-term bond yields have hit record highs in recent weeks, raising concerns among global investors.
Rising Tensions with China
Takaichi’s electoral success may also heighten tensions with Beijing. Even before assuming office, she had been known as a China hawk, and soon after taking the premiership, she suggested that Japan might intervene militarily if China attempted to seize Taiwan by force.
China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory and has not ruled out using force, reacted strongly: summoning Japan’s ambassador, issuing travel warnings to its citizens, conducting joint air drills with Russia, and even reclaiming Japan’s last two pandas last month. As Takaichi moves forward with her mandate, balancing domestic economic priorities with delicate regional diplomacy will be a key challenge.
