Japan has reaffirmed Sanae Takaichi as its prime minister following a decisive victory in the February 8, 2026, general elections. Lawmakers formally reappointed her during a special parliamentary session on 18 February, marking a new chapter in her leadership.
Takaichi, 64, who became Japan’s first female prime minister in October last year, led her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to a remarkable victory, winning a two‑thirds supermajority in the 465-seat lower house. This gives her the authority to advance her government’s agenda with confidence, even as the upper house remains more divided.
In her second term, Takaichi is expected to focus on several key priorities. Strengthening Japan’s defence capabilities tops the list, especially in light of growing regional tensions. She is also planning economic measures to ease inflation, including temporary cuts in the sales tax on food, alongside efforts to stimulate growth and innovation.
Beyond security and the economy, Takaichi’s government is likely to champion conservative social policies and consider revisions to Japan’s post-war pacifist constitution, a long-standing goal among her party’s leaders. At the same time, she has emphasized maintaining strong alliances, particularly with the United States, to safeguard Japan’s interests in the region.
Her return to power has drawn attention both at home and abroad. Supporters celebrate the stability and clear mandate her leadership brings, while critics caution that some of her moves, like visits to historically sensitive sites, could strain relations with neighbouring countries.
With a commanding parliamentary majority, Takaichi now has the platform to shape Japan’s policies for years to come, balancing domestic challenges with the pressures of regional geopolitics.
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