Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party won a wide victory in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, capturing about 316 seats in the 465-member lower house and gaining a ruling supermajority alongside allies. The result gives her a strong mandate to advance a conservative agenda focused on defense, immigration and economic reform, the Associated Press reported.
A heavy metal fan and drummer, Takaichi – who has long cited former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as a personal and political inspiration – expressed gratitude for President Trump’s support, thanked him for his post-victory congratulatory message and signaled continued alignment with Washington.
Trump praised her leadership in a post after the results were announced. “Congratulations to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her coalition for a landslide victory in today’s very important vote,” Trump wrote on social media, “Sanae’s bold and wise decision to call an election has paid off. Her party now leads the legislature and has a HISTORIC TWO-THIRD SUPER MAJORITY – the first time since World War II. Sanae: It was my honor to support you and your coalition. I wish you Great success in the hiring of your Conservative, Peace through Strength agenda. The great people of Japan, who voted with such enthusiasm, will always have my strong support.
SANAE TAKAICHI BECOMES JAPAN’S FIRST FEMALE PRIME MINISTER, WITH THATCHER INSPIRATION
President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrive to speak to troops aboard the USS George Washington at Fleet Activity Yokosuka on October 28, 2025 in Yokosuka, Japan. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
The election results represent one of the ruling party’s strongest performances in years and solidifies Takaichi’s position just months after taking office as Japan’s first female prime minister.
Following the results, Takaichi said she was willing to move forward with policies aimed at making Japan “strong and prosperous” while pursuing reforms and strengthening national security, the Associated Press reported.
Her agenda includes boosting defense spending, overhauling security policy and boosting economic growth, while taking a tougher stance on regional threats such as China. Takaichi is known for her aggressive stance toward Beijing and is expected to maintain Japan’s close alignment with the United States.
JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER TAKAICHI PLANS TO DISSOLVE PARLIAMENT AND CALL EARLY ELECTIONS TO STRENGTHEN THE COALITION
Sanae Takaichi, Japanese Prime Minister, is seen playing the drums in Tokyo on September 24, 2021, when she was Minister of the Interior. (Kyodo via Reuters)
Takaichi’s victory is widely seen as a geopolitical signal as well as a domestic political triumph. Analysts say the strengthened mandate could deepen cooperation with the United States on security and economic policy at a time of rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
The snap elections, which took place just months after her premiership, were widely seen as a referendum on her leadership. With the opposition fragmented, voters secured a decisive result that now gives Takaichi the political space to pursue her agenda for the remainder of the parliamentary term.
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Lawmakers applaud Sanae Takaichi during a lower house session in Tokyo on Oct. 21, 2025, after she was elected Japan’s first female prime minister. (Eugene Hoshiko/AP Photo)
Takaichi supports strengthening Japan’s defense position and supports constitutional reform to expand the role of the military. Economically, she has praised former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s stimulus policies.
Her public gratitude to Trump underlines how central the U.S. alliance remains to Tokyo’s future strategy, experts say, as it prepares to translate electoral momentum into legislative and security action at home and abroad.
Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report.
