Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi Moves to Implement Conservative Policy Shifts After Securing Supermajority

Tokyo. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has begun the process of transforming the electoral gains from her personal popularity into sweeping conservative changes in security, economy, immigration, and social policy. Following the achievement of a two-thirds majority in the parliamentary elections, she has started preparing to translate that power into concrete legal and policy measures.

On Monday, she initiated the process of reshuffling the cabinet and advancing the delayed budget. She is expected to be re-elected as Prime Minister through the vote scheduled for next week. In an interview with NHK, she expressed confidence that her efforts would make Japan stronger and more prosperous.

According to the vote count results, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) led by Takaichi won 316 seats, securing a comfortable majority in the 465-member lower house. This is the highest result since the party was established in 1955.

Including the alliance with the Japan Innovation Party, the ruling coalition's total seat count reached 352. She expressed joy at the LDP headquarters while affixing red ribbons to the names of the winning candidates.

Although she lacks a full majority in the upper house, the strong support in the lower house has made it easier for Takaichi to advance her agenda concerning the economy and the expansion of military capabilities. Amid growing tensions with China and efforts to strengthen ties with the United States, she stated she would advance policy goals through dialogue with the opposition. "I will be flexible," she said.

Although Takaichi is popular, the LDP has been affected by fund and religious scandals in recent years. Against this backdrop, she called for early elections just three months after taking office.

Having assumed office in October as Japan's first female leader, she adopted an active style under the slogan 'Work, work, work,' which appears to have influenced young voters.

The opposition parties remained divided and could not pose a strong challenge. The former coalition partner Komeito and the new alliance of the Constitutional Democratic Party are projected to lose significant seats. US President Donald Trump congratulated Takaichi on social media for her 'historic victory.'

In the coming days, Takaichi will pass the delayed budget and implement economic measures to address rising costs and stagnant wages. Furthermore, she aims to strengthen military capabilities by revising security and defense policies by December, lifting restrictions on arms exports, and increasing defense spending. Proposals for stricter policies on immigration and foreign ownership have received both support and criticism.

According to analysts, these steps could transform Japan in the long term, but debates on civil rights, regional diplomacy, and domestic polarization are expected to intensify.