Japan's Takaichi Sets Sights on Conservative Vision Following Historic Election Win
Sanae Takaichi, Japan's first female Prime Minister and leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), celebrated a historic electoral triumph on February 8, 2026, at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo. The party secured its largest victory in 71 years, a feat marked by Takaichi pinning names of successful candidates on a board.
With this overwhelming win, Takaichi is poised to advance a conservative agenda that she acknowledges may "split public opinion." The snap elections, held under the shortest campaign period in post-war Japan and amidst severe snowstorms, did not deter voters from backing her vision.
The LDP's two-thirds majority in the lower house enables it to override opposition vetoes in the upper house. This significant power shift also opens the door for potential amendments to Japan's pacifist constitution, a long-standing goal of the LDP since its inception in 1955. Takaichi expressed her intent to facilitate a referendum on constitutional changes.
In an unprecedented outcome, 90% of LDP candidates emerged victorious, marking the largest majority for any single party in Japan's post-war history. The party's resurgence can be attributed to charismatic leaders like Takaichi's mentor, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who have historically influenced Japanese politics.
According to Jeffrey Hornung from RAND Corporation, Japanese politics often revolve around personal leadership rather than party affiliation. This dynamic was evident as Japan's Nikkei stock index soared to record highs following the election results, while bond yields increased and the Yen experienced fluctuations.
Despite the electoral success, questions linger regarding how Takaichi will finance her ambitious plans amid Japan's staggering government debt exceeding 200% of GDP. Nevertheless, she appears confident that her mandate will allow her to navigate these challenges.
"We have advocated policies facing significant opposition," Takaichi stated at the LDP headquarters, highlighting her commitment to a major economic and fiscal policy shift, enhanced security measures, and improved intelligence capabilities.
Takaichi's decisive victory aligns with a broader political shift to the right in Japan. Following her election as LDP president last year, the centrist Komeito Party exited their 26-year coalition with the LDP, leading to a new alliance with the right-wing populist Japan Innovation Party. Meanwhile, Komeito formed the Centrist Reform Alliance, which suffered significant losses in the recent elections.
At her press conference, Takaichi reiterated her goal to revise Japan's National Defense Strategy. While specifics were not disclosed, she hinted at potential changes to Japan's longstanding policies regarding nuclear weapons.
"This year marks 10 years since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe advocated a free and open Indo-Pacific," she remarked. "I aim to deepen this vision." The concept, adopted by the first Trump administration, emphasizes collaboration among like-minded nations against revisionist powers, particularly China.
Takaichi reaffirmed her commitment to the Japan-U.S. alliance as a cornerstone of foreign policy and is scheduled to meet with President Trump next month. As Trump prepares for a visit to China in April, Takaichi finds herself navigating a diplomatic stalemate with Beijing over her remarks suggesting that a Chinese blockade of Taiwan could provoke a military response from Japan.
The Trump administration has stressed that allies must shoulder more defense responsibilities. Hornung believes Takaichi is better positioned than her predecessors to enact significant policy changes. "She can't say anymore, 'well, I can't do that because the opposition parties will turn it down.' I mean, she has the numbers to pass policies and do things," he noted.
Chie Kobayashi contributed to this report from Tokyo.
