Takaichi’s landslide locks in power, sharpens Japan’s next choices

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has promised tax cuts and political continuity after leading her Liberal Democratic Party to a sweeping victory in Sunday’s general election, a result that hands her one of the strongest mandates in modern Japanese politics.

Speaking on Monday, Takaichi said she would press ahead with plans to reduce consumption taxes and keep her cabinet unchanged, striking a note of stability after projections showed the conservative Liberal Democratic Party securing a commanding two-thirds majority in the lower house.

Public broadcaster NHK projected the LDP would take 316 seats in the 500-member National Assembly, a “historic” result that marks the party’s best showing since its founding in 1955. The victory surpasses the previous record of 300 seats won in 1986 under former prime minister Yasuhiro Nakasone.

The LDP’s junior partner, the Japan Innovation Party, won 36 seats, while the main opposition Centrist Reform Alliance suffered heavy losses, holding on to just 49 of the 172 seats it previously controlled.

Analysts attribute the scale of the win largely to Takaichi’s personal popularity. As Japan’s first female prime minister, she has built a strong following that now gives her room to pursue major changes across security, immigration and economic policy.

In a televised interview with NHK on Monday, Takaichi said her focus would be on strengthening Japan’s economy and long-term prosperity. She confirmed that she intends to push ahead with reducing consumption taxes, a key campaign pledge aimed at easing pressure on households.

“Most parties are in favour 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,” Takaichi said. “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.”

During the campaign, the LDP promised to suspend the 8 percent food sales tax for two years, framing the move as a way to offset rising living costs. Takaichi also made clear she sees no reason to reshuffle her cabinet, calling it a “good team”.

Business leaders welcomed the decisive outcome.

The election result drew swift international reactions. Donald Trump, who had endorsed Takaichi ahead of the vote, congratulated her on social media and wished her “Great Success”. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung also offered his congratulations and said he hoped to meet her soon in Seoul. Leaders in India, Italy and Taiwan sent similar messages.

China, which views Taiwan as part of its territory, has been closely watching both Takaichi and the election outcome. Her strong mandate could also accelerate plans to bolster Japan’s military capabilities, a move Beijing has portrayed as an attempt to revive Japan’s militaristic past.