Japan's 'Iron Lady' Sanae Takaichi wins Japan election, secures strong mandate

Japan’s ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has secured a sweeping victory in Sunday’s lower house election, cementing her authority and paving the way for major economic and security reforms.

Final results from Japan’s lower house election show Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) winning up to 328 of the 465 seats, its strongest performance since the current electoral system was introduced in 1996.

Together with its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), the ruling bloc is set to control as many as 366 seats, giving it a commanding two-thirds supermajority and the ability to override the upper house, which it does not control.

The decisive victory significantly strengthens Takaichi’s mandate to pursue contentious policies, including proposed consumption tax cuts and expanded defence spending aimed at countering China — moves that have already unsettled financial markets and drawn criticism from Beijing.

‘Sanakatsu’ momentum delivers mandate

Takaichi, 64, called the rare February election shortly after taking office in October, seeking to capitalise on strong approval ratings. Her direct style and reputation for long working hours helped fuel a youth-driven popularity wave dubbed “Sanakatsu,” boosting enthusiasm among younger voters, a group traditionally less engaged in politics.

Surveys showed more than 90% of voters under 30 favoured Takaichi, helping deliver the scale of the win even as overall turnout remained around the mid-50% range.

Japan’s first female prime minister, Takaichi has said she is inspired by Britain’s former leader Margaret Thatcher, and has cast herself as a decisive reformer prepared to push through difficult economic and security changes.

Winter election tests voters

The vote was held amid heavy snowfall across northern Japan, disrupting transport and forcing some polling stations to close early. It was only the third post-war election held in February, as most elections are typically called during milder seasons.

Despite blizzard conditions in some regions, participation was not significantly dampened, with voters in snow-hit prefectures such as Niigata braving harsh weather to cast their ballots.

Markets watch tax and defence plans

Analysts say the landslide gives Takaichi political space to advance her pledge to freeze the 8% consumption tax on food, though investors remain wary about how Japan, already the world’s most indebted advanced economy, would fund the measure.

“She now has the political room to act,” said Seiji Inada of FGS Global, noting that fiscal risks could put pressure on the yen.

U.S. backing, China tensions

Takaichi’s victory follows a public endorsement from U.S. President Donald Trump, underscoring Tokyo’s close alignment with Washington. Her strengthened mandate is also expected to accelerate defence expansion, a move likely to further strain relations with China.

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With a solid parliamentary majority secured, Takaichi now faces pressure to deliver quickly on her economic promises while navigating growing geopolitical tensions and market scrutiny.

Who is Sanae Takaichi?

Takaichi is Japan’s first female prime minister and a veteran conservative politician with more than three decades in public life.

Born in March 1961 in Yamatokoriyama, Nara Prefecture, the 64-year-old leader grew up in a working-class family. Her father worked in manufacturing, while her mother was employed at a local police station.

Takaichi graduated from Kobe University’s Faculty of Business Administration in 1984. She later gained international experience working in the office of a U.S. congressman in 1987, before completing her studies at the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management in 1989.

Before entering politics, she worked as a television presenter for major Japanese broadcasters, including TV Asahi and Fuji TV. Inspired by a personal meeting with Panasonic founder Konosuke Matsushita, she decided to pursue a political career.

She entered politics in 1993, winning a seat in the House of Representatives as an independent before joining the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Since then, she has been elected to parliament ten times.

Takaichi has held several senior cabinet posts, including Minister for Science and Technology and Minister for Okinawa and Northern Territories in former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s first cabinet. She later served two terms as Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications between 2014–2017 and 2019–2020.

Under former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, she was appointed Minister for Economic Security and also twice chaired the LDP’s Policy Research Council.

Outside politics, Takaichi is known for her unconventional interests. As a student, she played drums in a heavy metal band and is a fan of scuba diving and traditional Japanese martial arts.

She also maintains a strong digital presence, with more than 1 million followers on X, around 570,000 subscribers on YouTube and close to 220,000 followers on Instagram.

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