Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) won a two-thirds supermajority in the Lower House election on Sunday, significantly strengthening its grip on power. The party, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, secured a majority of 316 seats on its own. It had just 198 seats prior to the election. Together with its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), the ruling bloc secured 352 seats. It’s the LDP’s most resounding Lower House election victory since it was founded in 1955.

Speaking to NHK, Takaichi thanked the voters who “braved the cold and walked through the snowy roads to cast their votes.” She added, “I wanted the voters to give me a mandate because I advocated for responsible, proactive fiscal policy that would significantly shift economic and fiscal policy.” The margin of victory means that if legislation passed by the Lower House is rejected by the Upper House, where the LDP doesn’t have a majority, the ruling coalition will be able to re-pass those bills.

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World Leaders React to Supermajority Triumph for Takaichi

US President Donald Trump posted on social media to congratulate Takaichi. He added, “She is a highly respected and very popular Leader. Sanae’s bold and wise decision to call for an Election paid off big time.” Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi also congratulated the Japanese prime minister. He added, “Our Special Strategic and Global Partnership plays a vital role in enhancing global peace, stability and prosperity. I am confident that, under your able leadership, we will continue to take the India-Japan friendship to greater heights.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was one of the first world leaders to offer her congratulations. “I always carry in my eyes and in my heart the extraordinary welcome I received during my visit in January, which further strengthened the bond between our nations,” she posted on X. “Italy will continue with conviction to walk alongside Japan to jointly address global challenges, promote growth, security and stability, and make the relationship that unites us even deeper. Best wishes for good work to my dear friend Sanae and to the new Japanese Parliament.”

Another leader posting on X about the election was Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te. He said he looked forward “to continuing to work with Prime Minister Takaichi, so that Taiwan and Japan can jointly address regional challenges in the spirit of shared values, mutual benefit, and cooperation, thereby contributing to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.” In November, Takaichi asserted that a Chinese naval blockade on Taiwan would likely constitute a “survival-threatening situation” that could force Japan to respond. Relations between Japan and China have deteriorated since she made that remark.

CRA Struggles 

It was a disappointing election for the opposition Central Reform Alliance (CRA), formed by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) and Komeito in January. The party’s pre-election goal was to become the largest single party in the chamber. On Monday morning, the CRA’s tally stood at just 49 seats. “This devastating defeat is a responsibility worthy of 10,000 deaths,” said co-leader Yoshihiko Noda. The right-wing populist party Sanseito increased its seat count from two to 15. Team Mirai, a new party founded by AI engineer and science fiction writer Takahiro Anno, won 11 seats. It prioritizes lowering social security premiums over cutting the consumption tax rate. 

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Updated On February 9, 2026