...
By Andrew Stanton
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s snap election gambit appears to have paid off, with her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) winning a majority of seats in parliament, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported on Sunday.
Why It Matters
Takaichi is Japan’s first female prime minister and a conservative hardliner, with her election victory solidifying her mandate in Japan. Her party’s victory will have key implications for Japan’s domestic, fiscal and foreign policy over the coming years as Takaichi, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, seeks to bolster the nation’s economy and military amid ongoing tensions with China.
Read More on World
What to Know
Takaichi called the snap election only after about three months in office last year. She became prime minister after winning an LDP leadership election in October 2025 among party members and lawmakers. Her victory was seen as potentially bringing in a new era of conservatism for Japan after the LDP, which has faced tumult including funding and religious scandals, the Associated Press reported.
Her decision to call a snap election was widely viewed as a bold attempt to capitalize on her popularity before it faded.
“I’m putting my future as prime minister on the line,” she said in a press conference last year, per The Independent. “I want people to decide directly whether they can entrust the management of the country to me.”
That strategy paid off, with the snap election delivering her party solid returns this weekend.
Japanese broadcaster NHK predicted her LDP could expand its majority in the nation’s 465-seat lower house to anywhere from 274 to 328 seats following the elections. The Centrist Reform Alliance (CRA) is projected to follow with only 37 to 91 seats, according to the broadcaster.
Takaichi has discussed foreign policy goals such as lifting a ban on weapons exports, moving away from the country’s pacifist approach and increasing defense spending, the AP reported.
The right-wing Sanseito Party was also projected to win at least five seats, up from two, reported NHK.
Heavy snowfall in Japan forced some polling places to close early, fueling concerns about the impact to voter turnout, reported The New York Times. Yoshihiko Noda, a leader of the CRA, raised concerns about peoples' ability to vote, warning that "not being able to do so is a denial of democracy."
What Sanae Takaichi Victory Means for Japan, U.S.—Analysts Weigh In
Her "nimble reaction" to the party's partner, Komeito, abandoning the coalition, which involved reaching to the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin) to join her coalition, played a role in the victory, Richard Samuels, professor of political science specializing in Japanese politics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), told Newsweek on Sunday.
Takaichi's standing with foreign leaders, including Trump, also “reassured some voters by making it difficult to dismiss her as ideologically narrow,” he said.
The victory will give her "plenty of space to make national security reforms that the LDP and Ishin have been championing," and claim broad support for "fiscal expansion," Samuels said.
Samuels also explained to Newsweek what the victory means for U.S. interests in the region.
“If U.S. interests are defined as pro-Taiwan, anti-Beijing, and a preference for stable Seoul-Tokyo relations, Washington will likely be pleased,” he said. “If the U.S. continues to hammer its allies, including Japan, with new tariffs, her victory will enable her to accelerate Japan’s hedging against US abandonment, which may even include a warming with Beijing and the ROK both.”
Robert Pekkanen, a University of Washington political scientist, told Newsweek Takaichi’s personal popularity—fueled by the fact she's the first woman to serve as prime minister, strong approval from conservatives and the perception that she has been handling foreign policy well—contributed to the victory.
“This is a huge victory for LDP, and a huge victory for Takaichi,” he said. “But it was a real gamble.”
She is likely to have extended her mandate “very significantly,” he said, adding that it marks a “strong vote of continuity in the U.S.-Japan security alliance” that puts her in a stronger position for negotiations.
Margarita Estévez-Abe, political scientist at Syracuse University, told Newsweek Takaichi has successfully been able to tap into voters’ discontent, and her promises to “stand up to China” resonated with voters.
“Shinzo Abe promoted her and a few other female hawkish nationalists when he was PM. That was her sole calling card. And for this particular election, it was the perfect calling card. But this calling card turned out to be the right one for the insecure Japan,” she said, adding the LDP also invested “a lot of money in targeted ads on social media to appeal to young voters.”
Leadership of the Constitutional Democratic Party’s decision to merge with a small party, Komeito, also contributed, as its voters “hated this merger and were left with no party to vote for,” Estévez-Abe said.
...
Trump Weighed In on Japan Elections
Takaichi received the endorsement of Trump, who described her as a “strong, powerful, and wise Leader, and one that truly loves her Country” in a Truth Social post earlier in February. The endorsement is part of Trump’s pattern of supporting conservative leaders abroad, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Argentine President Javier Milei.
Trump congratulated her on her victory last year, saying she was "a highly respected person of great wisdom and strength." At the time, she said she was "very pleased to receive his kind words" and looked "forward to working together to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific region."
"Truly hoping to work together with President Trump to make our Alliance even stronger and more prosperous, and to advance a Free and Open Indo-Pacific," she wrote to X.
What People Are Saying
Thomas Berger, professor of international relations at Boston University, told Newsweek: “Takaichi has promised to pursue a combination of an expansive fiscal policy and a strong national defense. The Japanese economy may enjoy some positive stimulus, at least in the short run, if investors do not panic over a widening of the Japanese deficit. A sell off on the Japanese bond market and a further drop in the value of the yen, however, might put paid to many of Takaichi's plans. On foreign policy, Japan faces an extraordinarily difficult environment. A central issue will be how relations will develop with the PRC. Takaichi's comments on Taiwan and her stance on historical issues (she is likely to push ahead with another official visit to Yasukuni) makes her unpopular in Beijing. The Trump administration is likely to celebrate the LDP's victory, but will the U.S. step up to support Takaichi if she faces economic and possibly even military pressure (for example in the disputed East China Sea) from China? And if later this year Trump weakens the U.S. commitment to Taiwan, possibly in order to curry favor on a trade deal with China, Tokyo is likely to feel very isolated.”
Margarita Estevez-Abe, political scientist at Syracuse University, also told Newsweek: “The key is to watch what she does now. The electoral season is over. Her landslide victory gives her a lot of political room to maneuver. Her top priority should be to repair the Sino-Japan relation—badly damaged by her careless statement. Her public statement about her readiness to take military action should China attack Taiwan provoked Beijing. China has been retching up its economic sanctions against Japan. Japanese economy is hurting as a result.”
President Donald Trump wrote in a Truth Social post: “The Great Country of Japan is having a very important Legislative Election on Sunday, February 8, 2026. The results of this Election are very important to the future of Japan. The Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, has already proven to be a strong, powerful, and wise Leader, and one that truly loves her Country. I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Takaichi to the White House on March 19th. In my visit to Japan I, and all of my Representatives, were extremely impressed with her. In addition to National Security, the United States and Japan have worked closely together on making a very substantial Trade Deal, one that strongly benefits both Countries. Prime Minister Takaichi is someone who deserves powerful recognition for the job she and her Coalition are doing and, therefore, as President of the United States of America, it is my Honor to give a Complete and Total Endorsement of her, and what her highly respected Coalition is representing. SHE WILL NOT LET THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN DOWN!”
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in an interview with NHK:“I think the current Cabinet is a good team. It's still only just over three months since it was launched, but the members have been working really hard and are producing results. So I don't think I will change it. Most parties are in favor of reducing the consumption tax, such as reducing the tax on food items to zero, or to 5 percent, or reducing the tax on all items to 5 percent. The LDP has also campaigned for a consumption tax cut. I strongly want to call for the establishment of a supra-party forum to speed up discussion on this, as it is a big issue.”
Nakano Hiromasa, co-secretary general of the CRA, told NHK: "I think we have to take the results humbly and seriously, although the final results have yet to come and are being projected. Vote counting is still ongoing in many districts that are closely contested. I will keep closely watching developments, hoping our candidates win as many seats as possible."
What Happens Next
The full impact of the Japanese election will be felt over the coming weeks. She has cast issues including national security and the state of Japan's economy as key focuses of her leadership.
Update 2/8/26, 12:45 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Samuels.
Update 2/8/26, 2:06 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Pekkanen.
Update 2/8/26, 6:42 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Estevez-Abe and Berger.
In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it's not "both sides," it's sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.
When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations. Help keep the center courageous. Join today.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines