Landslide for Japan’s ‘Iron Lady’, Sanae Takaichi Secures Historic Supermajority

TOKYO (Feb 9, 2026) – In a historic shift for Japanese politics, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has led her ruling coalition to a sweeping victory in the February 8 snap general election. Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) achieved a landmark result, securing 316 seats on its own—the party’s strongest performance since its founding in 1955.

Combined with the 36 seats won by its ally, the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), the ruling bloc now commands a 352-seat supermajority in the 465-member House of Representatives.

A Mandate for Change

The “Iron Lady” of Japan, who became the nation’s first female Prime Minister in October 2025, called the rare winter election just three months into her term to seek a mandate for her bold conservative agenda.

• Economic Reform: Takaichi plans to accelerate a two-year suspension of the 8% consumption tax on food to combat persistent inflation.

• Military Boost: The supermajority provides the legislative “buoyancy” to bypass an uncooperative Upper House and push through a significant hike in defense spending aimed at countering regional threats.

• Constitutional Revision: With two-thirds control, the government is now positioned to pursue long-held LDP goals of amending Japan’s pacifist Constitution.

Modi Congratulates “Landmark Victory”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first global leaders to congratulate Takaichi. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi emphasized the “vital role” of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership in ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

“Congratulations Sanae Takaichi on your landmark victory… I am confident that under your able leadership, we will continue to take the India-Japan friendship to greater heights.” — PM Narendra Modi

The Opposition Collapse

The election dealt a “debilitating blow” to the Centrist Reform Alliance (CRA)—a new coalition formed by the Constitutional Democratic Party and former LDP ally Komeito. The CRA saw its presence nearly halved, dropping to just 49 seats, leading to the immediate resignation hints from co-leaders Yoshihiko Noda and Tetsuo Saito.