Takaichi Secures Decisive Mandate for Economic and Defense Reforms in Landslide Victory

Tokyo, Sunday, 8 February 2026.
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has solidified her political standing with a projected supermajority in today’s snap election, February 8, 2026. Exit polls indicate her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will secure between 274 and 326 seats, far exceeding the threshold for a simple majority. This landslide provides Takaichi the legislative leverage to unilaterally pursue aggressive fiscal policies and a hawkish defense posture regarding China, despite ongoing trade retaliation. Most intriguingly, the conservative leader has achieved unprecedented support among the youth, polling over 80% with voters in their 20s by leveraging a social media strategy that blends heavy metal drumming with nationalist rhetoric. This victory now sets the stage for a high-stakes summit with U.S. President Trump in March, signaling a significant shift in Asian-Pacific security dynamics.