Tokyo, Japan – After a resounding victory at the polls, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regains control of the Lower House in early elections marked by the weakness of the opposition. How far can you advance your political agenda? We analyze it from Tokyo.

First modification: 02/09/2026 - 16:22 Last modification: 02/09/2026 - 16:24

A voter leaves his house at 7:00 a.m. m. to head to your nearest voting center in Shibuya. It kept snowing in Tokyo and he preferred to leave early, before the snow made it difficult to even open the door to his home. The forecast announced by the Japan Meteorological Agency had been fulfilled in much of the country.

"There was almost no one. It took me a total of 10 minutes to vote," said the 45-year-old Japanese. The Government recommended voting early and many did. More than 20 million people went to the polls in the previous days, which represented an increase of 26% compared to previous elections.

The early elections became a historic day for the country, characterized by heavy snowfall and a resounding result for the Prime Minister of Japan, Sanae Takaichi.

Without surprises, the ruling party won 316 seats and added 352 in total with its alliance with the Ishin no Kai or Japan Innovation party.

The new coalition allowed the Liberal Democratic Party to gain seats in the cities of Osaka and Kyoto, characterized by providing support to its new ally, the Japan Innovation Party.

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Despite the decrease in participation, the president swept away her charisma and now controls two-thirds of the Senate, which will allow her to work on her political and economic agenda without negotiating with the fragmented opposition.

No opposition

For the Japanese, the recovery of the Lower House by the ruling party, after two consecutive defeats by its predecessor Shigeru Ishiba, responded to the lack of an opposition force.

"The Liberal Democratic Party won because there was no clear opposition to vote for. I consider that the fact that conservative sectors, which oppose the possibility of separate surnames for marriages and equal marriage, are at the core of the Government, distances the possibility of achieving diversity policies," Japanese Seiei Kusunoki tells France 24.

For Yukako Kubo, the economy is her main concern and she does not believe that policies can guarantee growth.

"I do not agree with the Takaichi Government's stance of tolerating a weak yen. I believe that devaluing ourselves at a time when both the people and the country need to rebuild, will only lead to a constant decline. It is time to focus on strengthening the intellectual capacity of the population and increasing GDP to make up for the 30 lost years," Kubo told France 24.

Read alsoEarly elections in Japan, marked by the rise of the right and a popular government

However, the Japanese highlights the rise in the number of seats in the far-right country Sanseito. “The only positive thing about these elections is that the overwhelming victory of the ruling party allowed the Sanseito party to be weakened.”

The keys to the official victory

For Jeffrey Hall of Kanda University, Sanae Takaichi's victory responds to her high popularity and a projection of making Japan a prosperous country.

"With three months in power he had little to show, beyond diplomatic appearances in which he stood out for his closeness and cordiality with foreign leaders. Traditionally, Japanese prime ministers do not usually generate enthusiasm in the diplomatic field, but Takaichi and his team have turned each summit into an opportunity to project strength and optimism. His exchanges with foreign leaders went viral on social networks and captured the attention of many people who are not even interested in politics," Hall explains to France 24.

The professor warns that many voters were unaware of Takaichi's proposals, but his firm stance regarding a possible military intervention in Taiwan gave him strength in regions that feel threatened by his proximity, such as Okinawa.

"Diplomacy towards Japan's friendly countries will be a central focus for Takaichi, because it involves low risk and offers him opportunities to demonstrate to voters that he has foreign policy skills. Many will be attentive to his next visit to the United States, where he is expected to continue with a policy of praising Trump and avoiding disagreements," the professor says.

Read alsoTaiwan, the center of the dispute between China and Japan

The increase in nationalist policies will also be part of the agenda, such as the possibility of making it a serious crime to damage or burn the flag and a controversial anti-espionage law.

"Takaichi will probably move forward with his plan to create a Japanese intelligence agency and pass an anti-espionage law. This law is expected to give the government new powers to spy on citizens with the aim of identifying people involved in espionage activities, although some believe that it could reduce civil liberties and be used abusively to monitor political opponents," highlights Hall.

Sound opposition defeat

The short campaign time played in the president's favor. The new center bloc formed between the Constitutional Democratic Party and Komeito lost more than 100 seats.

"The centrist bloc was created in a hurry and many supporters of the former Constitutional Democratic Party ended up disappointed. It is possible that they were discouraged by ideological differences with Komeito, as well as by negative perceptions about Soka Gakkai, the religious organization that constitutes Komeito's electoral base," the professor tells France 24.

The opposition bloc was unable to build a recognizable brand image and does not have charismatic figures who could counteract Takaichi's popularity.

Sanseito's setback

The far-right Sanseito party gained new seats, but obtained fewer votes compared to the last elections. The similarity of some nationalist policies favored the ruling party.

"Although it remains a small party, the seats gained will increase the state subsidies it receives and give its leaders greater media exposure. Sanseito will probably be very vocal in its criticism of the Government's stance on foreign workers. Anti-immigrant sentiment continues to rise on social media, and Sanseito will take advantage of it," Hall tells France 24.

The ruling party's resounding victory gives Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi unprecedented room to maneuver to advance a political agenda.

Among the priorities that could be accelerated is the increase in defense spending, in a context marked by tensions in the Taiwan Strait, pressure from China and North Korea, and the strengthening of the alliance with the United States.

With a solid parliamentary majority, the ruling party could also resume the debate on a possible constitutional reform, in particular of article 9, which limits the use of military force. Although the process requires broad consensus and a national referendum, the new balance of power reduces the political obstacles to opening that discussion.

The election result opens a decisive stage for Japan. The combination of a weakened opposition and a strengthened ruling party raises questions about the future of the Japanese island and whether Takaichi will be able to revitalize the economy.

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