The Prime Minister of Japan, Sanae Takaichi, won a historic victory in the early general election, this Sunday (8), called by herself a few months after taking office. The conservative leader’s strategic bet strengthens her position within the government and guarantees her the political capital necessary to advance her reform agenda.
The coalition led by Takaichi, formed by the Liberal Democratic Party and the populist Nippon Ishin party, won 316 of the 465 seats in the Lower House, surpassing the supermajority threshold (310 seats). With this, the government now has the power to override decisions made by the Upper Chamber and promote structural changes without depending on the opposition.
The result represents a significant turnaround for the PLD, which had been accumulating wear and tear following fundraising scandals and economic pressures on Japanese families since 2023.
The early calling of the election proved decisive for Takaichi to consolidate his internal leadership and ensure a mandate with greater political stability. This is the party’s greatest demonstration of strength in years, highlighting the prime minister’s ability to reverse a scenario of loss of trust and institutional erosion.
International leaders congratulate Takaichi on victory
A few hours after confirming the victory, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni publicly celebrated the result with a warm message on social media, highlighting the “deep friendship” and “strategic partnership” that unite Italy and Japan.
In her statement, the Italian leader stated that Italy will continue to walk alongside Japan to face global challenges and promote growth, security and stability, ending the message with wishes of “good work” to “dear friend Sanae” and the new Japanese parliament.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, also hailed Takaichi for his “decisive victory”. In a publication in X, Saar highlighted the importance of the strategic partnership between the two countries and expressed the desire to deepen bilateral cooperation in various areas — reinforcing the good diplomatic momentum between Tokyo and Jerusalem.
Conservative, Takaichi won over young people in Japan
Takaichi declares herself an admirer of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, an influence that is reflected both in her conservative agenda and in her firm speech on national security and moral values
In the economy, the prime minister defends reducing taxes and expanding subsidies, as measures to alleviate the domestic budget, pressured by the increase in the cost of living. Critics, however, warn that such policies could deepen Japan’s already high public debt, one of the highest among advanced countries.
The premier also stands out for her strong digital presence: she accumulates millions of followers and maintains significant engagement on social networks, which increases her visibility and mobilizes a young base between 18 and 30 years old.
This connection with a younger audience helped transform her into a cultural phenomenon, with items associated with her image — such as clothes and accessories used in public appearances — gaining prominence in the press and on the networks.
Analysts point out that this phenomenon symbolizes a break with traditional politics, historically dominated by male and older leaders, reinforcing the perception that Takaichi represents a change in style and narrative in command of the country.
