Japan PM Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party secures landslide victory in snap election

Tokyo (Web Desk/Agencies): Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, delivered a stunning performance in the Lower House elections held on Sunday, emerging with an unprecedented mandate.

According to the international media reports, the party captured 316 seats, easily exceeding the 261 required to command a majority in the 465-seat chamber.

The outcome represents the largest parliamentary haul in the LDP’s history since it was formed in 1955, overtaking the long-standing record of 300 seats set during former prime minister Yasuhiro Nakasone’s landslide win in 1986.

The victory was amplified by the success of the Japan Innovation Party, which secured 36 seats, bringing the ruling coalition’s combined strength to 352 seats and cementing its firm grip on the lower house.

In remarks following the sweeping victory, Prime Minister Takaichi said she was ready to push ahead with initiatives aimed at strengthening Japan and driving economic prosperity.

She noted that while her government would stand firm on its priorities, it would also seek constructive engagement with opposition parties.

Takaichi, who broke new ground as the country’s first female prime minister, had dissolved parliament and called snap elections on January 19. The decision came at a time of strong public confidence in her leadership, with recent opinion surveys placing her approval rating at roughly 70 percent.