File photo (Picture credit: AP)
Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, is set for a decisive victory in Sunday’s snap lower house elections, according to exit polls and media projections.
LDP projected to secure strong lower house majority
Public broadcaster NHK said the LDP could win between 274 and 328 seats in the 465-member lower house, far above its pre-election tally of 198, reported news agency AFP.Along with coalition partner Japan Innovation Party (JIP), the ruling bloc is projected to secure between 302 and 366 seats.Crossing the 310-seat mark would hand the coalition a two-thirds majority for the first time since 2017, enabling it to pass legislation without opposition backing.
Boost for Takaichi after turbulent years for LDP
The outcome marks a sharp turnaround for the LDP, which had suffered electoral setbacks in recent years due to rising prices and corruption concerns. Under Takaichi’s predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, the coalition lost its upper house majority last year and its grip on the lower house in 2024.Takaichi, who became Japan’s first female prime minister in October, called the snap election after just three months in office to capitalise on her popularity.According to AFP, she has attracted younger voters with her energetic and unconventional style, defying scepticism within her party.
Economy and inflation remain voter concerns
Despite the projected win, voters remain anxious about the economy. Inflation and stagnant wages featured prominently on polling day.“With prices rising like this, what matters most to me is what policies they’ll adopt to deal with inflation,” Tokyo voter Chika Sakamoto said, as quoted by AFP, adding that household incomes were not keeping pace with costs.Takaichi rolled out a $135-billion stimulus package and promised to suspend consumption tax on food, but concerns remain about Japan’s public finances. The country’s debt is more than twice the size of its economy, while bond yields have hit record highs in recent weeks.
China, Taiwan and regional tensions in focus
The election result could also complicate ties with China. Takaichi, seen as a China hawk, recently suggested Japan could intervene militarily if Beijing used force against Taiwan, triggering a strong response from China.Beijing summoned Japan’s ambassador, warned its citizens against travelling to Japan and held joint air drills with Russia. The issue has raised concerns about regional stability, even as US President Donald Trump publicly praised Takaichi as a “strong, powerful, and wise Leader”.
Big mandate could push right-wing agenda
According to news agency AP, a strong majority would allow Takaichi to push ahead with her conservative agenda, including boosting defence spending, revising security policy, lifting restrictions on weapons exports and tightening rules on foreigners.Experts caution that while the win strengthens her position, unresolved questions remain over funding military expansion and managing diplomatic tensions. As per AFP, one analyst said that the best outcome now would be for Takaichi to “take a deep breath” and work on stabilising relations with China before the next electoral test in 2028.
