09.02.2026 00:10
According to the results of the early general elections held in Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party led by Prime Minister Takaiichi Sanae won the race by a historic margin. Under Takaiichi's leadership, the ruling LDP surpassed the two-thirds majority threshold of 310 seats in the House of Representatives. With this result, the LDP became the first party to achieve this success in Japan since World War II.
Japan's first female prime minister, Takaiichi Sanae, has won the largest electoral victory in the country's history.
A FIRST AFTER WORLD WAR II: WON 2/3 OF THE SEATS
According to a report by state television NHK based on ballot counting results, Takaiichi's party, the LDP, won 316 of the 465 seats in the lower house of parliament, the House of Representatives, in the early general elections held.
The LDP increased its number of seats from 198 to 316. Thus, the ruling party surpassed the threshold of 310 seats, which is considered a two-thirds majority in the parliament. With this result, the LDP became the first party to achieve this success in post-World War II Japan.
The ruling coalition partner Nippon Ishin (JIP) also increased its number of seats by 2 to 36.
THE POSSIBILITY OF AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION
Exceeding the two-thirds majority limit of 310 seats in the 465-member House of Representatives (Shuugiin) could mean that they can move forward with amending the constitution and enacting legislation. The LDP currently does not have a majority in the upper house of parliament, known as the House of Councillors (Sangiin).
HISTORIC DEFEAT FOR THE OPPOSITION
The main opposition, the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), which led the Centrists Reform Alliance (CRA) formed before the elections, suffered a major defeat by reducing its number of seats from 172 to 49. On the other hand, the leaders of the opposition parties signaled their resignation after the number of seats halved.
"WE BEAR AN EXTREMELY HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY"
After the LDP's victory was announced, Takaiichi stated, "We bear an extremely heavy responsibility to fulfill the promises we made during the election." Takaiichi expressed that she would maintain the current situation without making significant changes to the cabinet lineup. Additionally, Takaiichi mentioned that she hopes for concrete plans for constitutional amendments to be discussed in parliament.
1285 CANDIDATES COMPETED
In Japan, voters went to the polls to elect members of the lower house of the national parliament, the House of Representatives (Shuugiin). A total of 1285 candidates competed nationwide to enter the parliament.