NewNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takachi’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party won a sweeping victory in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, capturing about 316 seats in the 465-member lower house and securing a ruling supermajority with allies. The result gives him a strong mandate to pursue a conservative agenda focused on defense, immigration and economic reforms, the Associated Press reports.
Takaichi, a heavy metal fan and drummer who has long cited former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as a personal and political inspiration, expressed gratitude for President Trump’s support, thanking him for his congratulatory message after the victory and indicating continued rapprochement with Washington.
After the results were announced, Trump praised his leadership in a post. “Congratulations to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and his coalition on their landslide victory in today’s very important vote,” Trump wrote on social media. Conservative, peace through strength agenda. The wonderful people of Japan, who voted so enthusiastically, will always have my strong support.”
With Thatcher’s inspiration, Sanae Takaichi became the first female Prime Minister of Japan.
President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrive to speak to troops aboard the USS George Washington at Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Yokosuka, Japan, on October 28, 2025. (Andrew Harnick/Getty Images)
The election result represents one of the strongest showings for the ruling party in years and strengthens Takachi’s position just months after taking over as Japan’s first female prime minister.
Following the results, Takaichi said he was ready to move forward with policies aimed at making Japan “strong and prosperous” as he seeks to implement reforms and strengthen national security, the Associated Press reported.
His agenda includes boosting defense spending, revising security policies, and encouraging economic growth, while maintaining a tough stance toward regional threats such as China. Takachi, known for her tough stance on Beijing, is expected to maintain Japan’s close rapprochement with the United States.
Asia analyst Gordon Chang told Fox News Digital, “Takaichi’s landslide victory shows other leaders that defiance of China can be popular with voters. No one needs to please Xi Jinping anymore.”
Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi plans to dissolve parliament and call early elections to strengthen the coalition
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takachi is seen playing drums in Tokyo on September 24, 2021, when she was the Minister of Internal Affairs. (Kyodo via Reuters)
American officials also welcomed the results. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant described the assistance on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo,” saying Takachi is a strong ally and emphasizing that his leadership strengthens the strategic partnership between Washington and Tokyo.
Takaichi’s victory is widely seen as a geopolitical signal as well as a domestic political victory. Analysts say the stronger mandate could deepen cooperation with the United States on security and economic policy at a time of rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
The snap election, held just a few months into his prime ministership, was widely seen as a referendum on his leadership. With the opposition fragmented, voters delivered a decisive result that now gives Takaichi the political space to pursue his agenda during the remainder of his parliamentary term.
Click here to download Fox News App
Lawmakers applaud Sanae Takachi during a lower house session in Tokyo on October 21, 2025 after she was elected Japan’s first female prime minister. (Eugene Hoshiko/AP Photo)
Takaichi supports strengthening Japan’s defense posture and supports constitutional amendments to expand the role of the military. Economically, he has praised the stimulus-driven policies associated with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Experts say her public thanks to Trump underscore how central the U.S. alliance remains to Tokyo’s strategy going forward, as it prepares to translate election momentum into legislative and security action at home and abroad.
Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
