The governing get together of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured a two-thirds supermajority in a key parliamentary election on Sunday (February 8, 2026), Japanese media reported citing preliminary outcomes, incomes a landslide victory because of her recognition.
Msz. Takaichi, in a televised interview with public tv community NHK following her sweeping victory, mentioned she is now able to pursue insurance policies that might make Japan robust and affluent.
NHK, citing outcomes of vote counts, mentioned Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Occasion, or LDP, alone secured 316 seats by early on Monday (February 9, 2026), comfortably surpassing a 261-seat absolute majority within the 465-member decrease home, the extra highly effective of Japan’s two-chamber parliament. That marks a file because the get together’s basis in 1955 and surpasses the earlier file of 300 seats gained in 1986 by late Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone.
A smiling Takaichi positioned an enormous purple ribbon above every winner’s title on a signboard on the LDP’s headquarters, as accompanying get together executives applauded.
Regardless of the shortage of a majority within the different chamber, the higher home, the massive bounce from the preelection share within the superior decrease home would enable Takaichi to make progress on a right-wing agenda that goals to spice up Japan’s economic system and army capabilities as tensions develop with China and she or he tries to nurture ties with the USA.
Ms. Takaichi mentioned that she would firmly push ahead her coverage targets whereas attempting to achieve assist from the opposition.
“I shall be versatile,” she mentioned.
Ms. Takaichi is massively standard, however the governing LDP, which has dominated Japan for a lot of the final seven a long time, has struggled with funding and non secular scandals in recent times. She known as Sunday’s early election solely after three months in workplace, hoping to show that round whereas her recognition is excessive.
In style chief
The ultra-conservative Takaichi, who took workplace as Japan’s first feminine chief in October, pledged to “work, work, work”, and her model, which is seen as each playful and difficult, has resonated with youthful followers who say they weren’t beforehand occupied with politics.
The Opposition, regardless of the formation of a brand new centrist alliance and a rising far-right, was too splintered to be an actual challenger. The brand new opposition alliance of LDP’s former coalition associate, Buddhist-backed dovish Komeito, and the liberal-leaning Constitutional Democratic Occasion of Japan, is projected to sink to half of their mixed pre-election share of 167 seats.
Ms. Takaichi was betting with this election that her LDP get together, along with its new associate, the Japan Innovation Occasion, would safe a majority.
Takaichi’s insurance policies
The Prime Minister desires to push ahead a big shift to the precise in Japan’s safety, immigration and different insurance policies. The LDP’s right-wing associate, JIP chief Hirofumi Yoshimura, has mentioned his get together will function an “accelerator” for this push.
Japan has just lately seen far-right populists acquire floor, such because the anti-globalist and surging nationalist get together Sanseito. Exit polls projected an enormous acquire for Sanseito.
Ms. Takaichi has pledged to revise safety and defence insurance policies by December to bolster Japan’s offensive army capabilities, lifting a ban on weapons exports and transferring additional away from the nation’s post-war pacifist rules.
She has been pushing for more durable insurance policies on foreigners, anti-espionage and different measures that resonate with a far-right viewers, however ones that specialists say might undermine civil rights.
Ms. Takaichi additionally desires to extend defence spending in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s strain for Japan to loosen its purse strings.
She now has time to work on these insurance policies, with out an election till 2028.
PM Modi greets Japanese counterpart on ‘landmark victory’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (February 8) greeted his Japanese counterpart, Sanae Takaichi, on her “landmark victory” within the elections to the Home of Representatives.
Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi’s ruling coalition, led by her Liberal Democratic Occasion, is sort of sure to win a single-party majority within the parliamentary election on Sunday (February 8).
“Congratulations, Sanae Takaichi, in your landmark victory within the elections to the Home of Representatives,” PM Modi mentioned in a publish on X.
The Prime Minister mentioned the India-Japan Particular Strategic and World Partnership performs a significant position in enhancing international peace, stability and prosperity. “I’m assured that beneath your in a position management, we’ll proceed to take the India-Japan friendship to better heights,” PM Modi mentioned.
(With inputs from AP and PTI)
Revealed – February 08, 2026 05:17 pm IST