Japan’s ruling coalition wins landslide in lower house election
LDP Secures Two-Thirds Majority, Weakening Junior Partner Influence
Tokyo: Japan’s ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party (JIP) achieved a decisive victory in Sunday’s general election, securing more than a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives, public broadcaster NHK reported early Monday.
The coalition captured 352 of 465 seats, surpassing the threshold needed to push through legislation approved by the lower house but previously blocked by the upper house. The LDP alone won 316 seats, enough to control the lower house independently, while the JIP added only two seats to its pre-election total of 34.
Analysts say the results could reduce the JIP’s influence in the coalition, as the LDP now dominates even without its junior partner.
Opposition Suffers Historic Losses
The main opposition, the Centrist Reform Alliance-a union of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Komeito party-was crushed, falling from 172 seats to just 49. Alliance co-leaders Yoshihiko Noda and Tetsuo Saito indicated they may resign, taking responsibility for the electoral defeat.
Other parties saw mixed results:
- Sanseito Party: Increased from 2 to 15 seats.
- Democratic Party for the People: Slight gain to 28 seats from 27.
A total of 1,284 candidates competed for the 465 seats, which include 289 single-seat constituencies and 176 proportional representation seats across 11 regional blocks.
Sunday’s election marked the first lower house vote held in February since 1990, a move criticized for coinciding with heavy snowfall that hampered campaigning nationwide.
Global Attention on Takaichi’s Mandate
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s victory has drawn international focus. Sky News described it as a “mandate so decisive that just a few months ago it would barely have been believed,” suggesting potential regional implications. The Economist highlighted the LDP’s return to “unquestionable dominance” in Japanese politics.
In the U.S., President Donald Trump congratulated Takaichi on her electoral success via Truth Social.
Domestic Concerns: Yen Weakening and Rising Living Costs
While the election boosted Takaichi’s political standing, Japan faces ongoing economic strains. The yen fell to 157.10 against the U.S. dollar, prompting the prime minister to highlight benefits for export industries.
“People say the weak yen is bad right now, but for export industries, it’s a major opportunity,” Takaichi said.
Her remarks, however, provoked backlash as Japanese citizens struggle with soaring food prices and energy costs. Recent data show rice-related goods surged 67.5% in 2025, the highest increase since 1971. A late-2025 survey indicated 99.3% of households felt significant or some pressure from rising expenses. The Engel’s coefficient reached a 44-year high, reflecting growing household food expenditure.
Ahead of the election, Takaichi pledged a two-year suspension of the 8% consumption tax on food and non-alcoholic beverages. Critics argue the unfunded tax cut risks fiscal stability, triggering a sell-off in Japanese bonds and record-high long-term yields. By the campaign’s end, Takaichi avoided clarifying her stance on the tax relief, which Japanese media described as a “stark reversal.”
Election Snapshot
- Ruling Coalition (LDP + JIP): 352 seats
- LDP: 316 seats
- JIP: 36 seats
- Centrist Reform Alliance: 49 seats
- Sanseito Party: 15 seats
- Democratic Party for the People: 28 seats