Sanae Takaichi officially voted in as Japan’s 105th prime minister

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.

Supermajority alters legislative balance

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.

Economic priorities dominate immediate agenda

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.

Constitutional revision: authority and limits

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.

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Security policy and regional posture

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.

Political background

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.

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