Tokyo – Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday described Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)’s sweeping victory in Sunday’s snap general election as a clear public mandate for “important policy shifts,” including constitutional amendment, departure from fiscal austerity, and a stronger national security posture.
The LDP secured a two-thirds supermajority in the House of Representatives—the lower chamber of Japan’s parliament—for the first time in the post-war era, winning 315 seats outright. Together with its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, the ruling bloc now commands the support of 351 lawmakers, enabling it to override opposition vetoes in the upper house (House of Councillors), where the LDP remains a minority.
Addressing a news conference in Tokyo, the 64-year-old premier—Japan’s first female prime minister—said the result reflected strong voter endorsement of her agenda. “This unprecedented win is a mandate granted to us for important policy shifts,” she stated. “The people have given us their trust to move forward boldly.”
Takaichi, a prominent conservative who assumed office in October 2025 after becoming the first woman to lead the LDP, highlighted two key priorities:
Constitutional amendment — She reaffirmed her long-standing goal of revising Article 9 of Japan’s pacifist constitution, which renounces war and prohibits the maintenance of offensive military forces. Takaichi said her government would seek to “amend” the document to better reflect Japan’s current security environment and legitimate right to self-defense.
Economic policy — The prime minister pledged to move away from “excessive fiscal austerity,” signaling a shift toward more proactive fiscal spending to stimulate growth, combat deflation, and address demographic challenges.
She also vowed to advance parliamentary discussions on a two-year consumption tax break on food items, a measure aimed at easing living costs amid persistent inflation pressures.
While celebrating the lower house triumph, Takaichi acknowledged the LDP’s minority status in the upper house and called for cooperation from opposition parties to pass legislation. “Budget deliberations will be our immediate priority,” she said, “but we will seek broad support to ensure smooth governance.”
The snap election was triggered last month by Takaichi herself, capitalising on her personal popularity and a wave of momentum following her historic rise to the LDP presidency and premiership. The campaign focused heavily on national security, economic revitalisation, and conservative values in a political landscape long dominated by men.
With the supermajority secured, the LDP-led coalition now possesses the constitutional power to pass virtually any legislation—even if blocked by the upper chamber—provided it maintains party discipline. Analysts say this gives Takaichi unprecedented leverage to pursue her ambitious reform agenda, including:
- Revising Japan’s three core security and defence documents
- Strengthening military capabilities amid rising regional tensions
- Implementing structural economic reforms
The victory marks a significant rebound for the LDP after years of electoral setbacks and internal turmoil. It also solidifies Takaichi’s position as one of the most powerful and transformative leaders in modern Japanese history.
Opposition parties, particularly the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP), suffered heavy losses and are now grappling with how to respond to a governing coalition with such overwhelming legislative authority.
As Takaichi prepares to convene the new parliament, attention will focus on how swiftly she moves to initiate constitutional debate, fiscal expansion measures, and security policy changes—steps that could reshape Japan’s domestic and international posture for decades to come.
