Japan’s LDP Wins Landslide Early Election Under PM Sanae Takaichi

According to vote counts reported by public broadcaster NHK, the LDP captured 316 of the 465 seats in the House of Representatives, up from 198 in the previous legislature. By crossing the two-thirds threshold of 310 seats, the party achieved a feat unmatched in Japan since the end of World War II.

The result gives the ruling party sweeping control of the lower house and significantly strengthens its legislative leverage.

Coalition Gains and Constitutional Implications

The LDP’s coalition partner, Japan Innovation Party (JIP) also improved its standing, increasing its seat count by two to reach 36.

Holding more than two-thirds of the lower house opens the door for advancing legislation with limited resistance and potentially initiating constitutional revision procedures, a long-standing ambition within the LDP. However, the party does not currently hold a majority in the upper house, the House of Councillors (Sangiin), which remains a key institutional check.

Opposition Suffers Heavy Losses

The main opposition bloc, led by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) under the banner of the Centrist Reform Alliance (CRA), suffered a crushing defeat. The alliance saw its seat count plunge from 172 to just 49.

Following the scale of the loss, several opposition leaders signaled they may step down, acknowledging voter backlash and the need for internal reassessment.

Takaichi’s Response and Policy Outlook

Speaking after the victory was confirmed, Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi said the outcome placed a “heavy responsibility” on her government to deliver on its campaign promises. She indicated that she plans to maintain broad continuity in the cabinet rather than pursue a major reshuffle.

Takaichi also expressed hope that concrete discussions on constitutional reform could now move forward in parliament, reflecting the LDP’s strengthened mandate.

Election Overview

Voters went to the polls to elect members of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Japan’s national legislature. A total of 1,285 candidates competed nationwide for seats in the chamber.

Who Is Sanae Takaichi?

Sanae Takaichi, 64, is Japan’s first female prime minister. She was born in March 1961 in Yamatokoriyama, Nara Prefecture, to a working-class family. A graduate of Kobe University’s Faculty of Business Administration, she later worked in the office of a US congressman and completed the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management.

Before entering politics, Takaichi worked as a television presenter for networks including TV Asahi and Fuji TV. Inspired by industrialist Konosuke Matsushita, she entered politics in 1993, winning a seat in the House of Representatives as an independent before joining the LDP.

She has since held several senior posts, including ministerial roles in Okinawa and Northern Territories affairs, science and technology, and later served multiple terms as minister of internal affairs and communications, as well as chair of the LDP’s Policy Research Council.

Her latest victory now places her at the helm of the most dominant ruling majority seen in Japan’s postwar political history.