Japan’s parliament has reappointed Sanae Takaichi as the country’s 105th prime minister ten days after a snap general election that handed her party a decisive two-thirds majority in the lower house.
Lawmakers officially confirmed her appointment on the 18 February at the opening of a 150-day special session of the National Diet, where she secured a majority in the House of Representatives. In the upper chamber, no candidate obtained an outright majority in the initial round, but Takaichi went on to win a runoff vote.
Japanese media reported that she received 354 votes in parliament, while Junya Ogawa of the Centrist Reform Alliance secured 50.
In line with Japan’s Constitution, her Cabinet resigned collectively following the lower house election before the confirmation vote took place. Most senior ministers are expected to retain their portfolios as she forms her second administration.
Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party increased its representation in the 465-seat lower house from 198 seats to 316, surpassing the 310 seats required for a two-thirds majority. It is the first time in post-war Japan that a single party has secured such a margin in the chamber.
A two-thirds majority in the lower house allows the government to override legislation rejected by the upper house and to dominate parliamentary committees. However, the ruling coalition does not hold a majority in the upper chamber, which limits its ability to move legislation without negotiation.
Her coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, modestly increased its representation. The Centrist Reform Alliance saw its seats fall sharply from 167 to 49, prompting leadership changes within the opposition.
The numerical strength in the lower house gives Takaichi greater control over the legislative agenda, but upper house arithmetic remains a constraint.
Despite the scale of the electoral victory, the government faces pressing domestic challenges.
Rising living costs, weak wage growth and demographic decline were central issues during the campaign. Passage of the fiscal 2026 budget is expected to be an early priority after delays caused by the election.
Takaichi has proposed a temporary reduction in the consumption tax on food products for two years to ease pressure on households. Economists remain divided on the long-term implications of expanded fiscal spending, given Japan’s substantial public debt and ongoing inflation concerns.
While security and constitutional issues draw attention internationally, economic management is likely to determine the short-term stability of her administration.
Takaichi has reiterated support for discussions on revising Japan’s post-war Constitution, a long-standing objective of the Liberal Democratic Party.
The Constitution, enacted in 1947, includes Article 9, which renounces war and prohibits the maintenance of armed forces with war potential. Successive governments have interpreted the provision to permit the existence of the Self-Defence Forces, but the text itself has never been amended.
Under Japan’s constitutional framework, revision requires approval by two-thirds of lawmakers in both chambers of parliament, followed by ratification in a national referendum.
Although the lower house supermajority enables the government to initiate amendment procedures, the ruling bloc does not control two-thirds of the upper chamber. Any proposal would therefore require cooperation from opposition lawmakers.
Public opinion also remains divided. Support for strengthening defence capabilities has risen amid regional tensions, yet surveys show caution toward altering Article 9 itself.
Takaichi has indicated interest in clarifying the constitutional status of the Self-Defence Forces and expanding Japan’s security role, but political realities in the upper house and competing domestic priorities may slow progress.
The supermajority provides leverage, but not automatic constitutional change.
Takaichi has pledged to review defence and national security policies by the end of the year. Her agenda includes strengthening deterrence capabilities, expanding intelligence cooperation with allies and reconsidering certain restrictions on defence exports.
Japan has steadily increased defence spending in recent years in response to regional security concerns. Discussions have included improving maritime surveillance, missile defence and intelligence coordination with partners such as the United States and Australia.
Her comments regarding the security of Taiwan have drawn attention in Beijing. Chinese officials oppose foreign involvement in what they regard as internal affairs, while Japanese policymakers frame stability in the Taiwan Strait as vital to regional security.
Relations with the United States
During the campaign, Takaichi highlighted the importance of the U.S. Japan alliance and welcomed public support from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Tokyo is expected to continue close coordination with Washington on defence cooperation, economic projects and regional security policy. At the same time, Japan faces pressure to sustain higher defence spending and manage trade and energy cooperation within the broader bilateral relationship.
Born in 1961 in Nara Prefecture, Takaichi studied business administration at Kobe University before entering politics in the early 1990s.
Over more than three decades in public life, she has held senior cabinet positions including internal affairs and economic security. She first became prime minister in October 2025 after winning the leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Her reappointment consolidates her position within the party and strengthens her authority ahead of a legislative session expected to shape Japan’s economic and security direction.
Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran e...
Up to 30 tonnes of food will be delivered to Iran amidst ongoing hostilities with U.S. and Israel, following a phone converstation between the ...
The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of global concern as tensions rise following the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israe...
Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientif...
A senior delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has been holding meetings with Georgian government offici...
Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of global concern as tensions rise following the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Tehran has threatened to block the strategic waterway, raising fears of disruption to global oil shipments and energy markets.
Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientific data, national hydrometeorological services in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan say, adding there is no threat to the region.
A senior delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has been holding meetings with Georgian government officials, opposition leaders and security authorities this week, as international observers attempt to gauge the country’s political climate following last year’s contentious elections.
Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has addressed the U.N. Security Council, saying the world must consider how effective its engagement with the Taliban-run country is as millions face hunger.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment