Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s coalition secured a landslide win on Sunday, an outcome that could notably reshape the country’s relationship with China and drive major economic overhauls. 

Takaichi’s choice to call a snap election just months after her historic rise to power paid off: her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was projected to win up to 328 of the 465 seats in parliament’s lower house—enough to form a supermajority. 

“I sought a mandate from voters because I’ve advocated for responsible, proactive fiscal policies that would bring significant shifts to economic and fiscal strategy,” told public broadcaster NHK late Sunday.

Takaichi made history earlier by becoming Japan’s first female prime minister after her predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, resigned as head of the ruling LDP.

Even though Japan isn’t due for another general election until late 2028, Takaichi called the vote hoping to gain a mandate to implement her sweeping conservative agenda.

She campaigned on a tougher stance toward China, rebuilding Japan’s military, stricter immigration rules and economic reforms.

As she rose to power, Takaichi brought a shift in leadership style to her party—which has led Japan for most of the past seven decades and been dominated by older, male politicians.

She was credited with a social media strategy that won over disillusioned young voters and became known for her pledge to “work, work, work” on behalf of her country.

Ahead of Sunday’s vote, Takaichi earned an endorsement from President Donald Trump. He said on Truth Social Thursday that she had “already proven to be a strong, powerful, and wise leader… one that truly loves her country,” adding: “She will not let the people of Japan down!” 

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reacted to her win on Sunday, praising her as a “great ally, great relationship with the president.”

Here’s what you need to know about what comes next. 

Relations with China will change 

Takaishi gave plenty of hints during her campaign that she would take a tougher stance toward China. 

Shortly after taking office, Takaishi made waves by publicly stating that Japan might respond to an invasion of Taiwan, noting such an invasion could trigger collective self-defense and a “survival-threatening situation.” She has also said she would bolster Japan’s military, ending decades of pacifist policy that began after World War II.

China has taken issue with Takaishi’s comments—viewing Taiwan as part of its territory—and responded with attempts to isolate Japan, telling Chinese tourists to “avoid traveling to Japan in the near future” at the end of last year and reimposing a ban on Japanese seafood imports.

As election results rolled in, Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told TV stations he wanted to proceed “with speed” on policies to strengthen Japan’s defense while pursuing dialogue with China.

In the past, leaders have avoided making explicit statements about hypothetical military scenarios—and Takaichi, seen as a China hawk, has been cheered by nationalists and criticized by opponents for her remarks.

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, meanwhile, was among the first foreign leaders to congratulate Takaichi, that he looks forward to facing “regional challenges together in the spirit of shared values and mutually beneficial cooperation, thereby promoting peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.”

Economic reforms

Takaichi—who counts former conservative U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as her political hero—has pledged drastic economic reforms. 

Among them is a plan to suspend the 8% consumption tax on food to ease the burden of rising prices on households.

“We will accelerate talks over a sales tax reduction,” Takaichi told reporters in the aftermath of the election on Sunday.

Takaichi also promised partial tax deductions for babysitting expenses and corporate tax incentives for companies that offer in-house childcare—a sign she may be warming to more family-friendly policies. 

“We will prioritise the sustainability of fiscal policy. We will ensure necessary investments. Public and private sectors must invest. We will build a strong and resilient economy,” she said Sunday.

A supermajority 

The LDP easily won a majority in the lower house—and with its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), Takaishi will be almost certain to form a supermajority, making it much easier to enact her conservative agenda.

Meanwhile, the country’s far-right Sanseito party—which promises the familiar priority of “Japanese first”—is projected to win up to 14 seats. While falling short of its goal of 30, this marks a significant increase in the party’s representation in the lower house. 

Gender politics

Though Takaichi made history as Japan’s first female prime minister in October 2025, her stance on gender and sexuality issues has prompted mixed reactions to her rise.

Takaichi supports the imperial family’s male-only succession and opposes same-sex marriage as well as amending the 19th-century law requiring married couples to share the same surname—under which most women are pressured to abandon theirs. While support is growing in Japan for couples to have different surnames, Takaichi the practice “may destroy the social structure based on family units.”

“She doesn’t have a very positive track record on gender issues, on family-friendly policies, women’s empowerment,” Jeff Kingston, a professor of Asian studies and history at Temple University’s Tokyo campus, . “Coming from the right wing of the party, there is a strong, conservative family-and-social-values emphasis.”