Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female Prime Minister, who assumed office in October 2025, achieved a historic victory in the February 8, 2026 snap elections. Just a few months into her tenure, her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) created a political storm by winning a supermajority in the Lower House, reinforcing her position as a transformative leader in Japanese politics.
Record-Breaking Election Results
According to public broadcaster NHK, the LDP won 316 of 465 seats in the House of Representatives, far exceeding the simple majority mark of 233. In alliance with the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), the coalition secured a total of 352 seats. This is the first time since World War II that a single party has achieved such dominance, surpassing the record set by the late Shinzo Abe in 2017.
Congratulations Sanae Takaichi on your landmark victory in the elections to the House of Representatives!
Our Special Strategic and Global Partnership plays a vital role in enhancing…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 8, 2026
Global Leaders Congratulate Takaichi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India praised Takaichi’s landmark victory, highlighting the importance of the India-Japan partnership for global peace and stability. Former U.S. President Donald Trump also expressed support for her candidacy, underlining the international recognition of her leadership and the global interest in Japan’s political direction.
The ‘Iron Lady’ Agenda
Known as Japan’s ‘Iron Lady,’ Takaichi called early elections just 110 days into office, stating, “Governance without the full support of the people is not democracy.” Her decisive policies, popular especially among younger voters—dubbed “Sanamania”—include increasing defense spending, implementing tax cuts and economic reforms, maintaining a firm stance on China, strengthening ties with the U.S., and enforcing strict immigration controls. She draws inspiration from former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and is recognized for her firm decision-making.