In a landmark electoral victory, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has secured a historic two-thirds supermajority in the House of Representatives (Lower House) following the general election held on February 8, 2026. The result marks one of the most decisive wins in the party’s postwar history and gives the ruling bloc an unparalleled legislative mandate.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the LDP won 316 out of 465 seats, surpassing the two-thirds threshold needed for a supermajority. In coalition with the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), the ruling bloc commanded an even stronger position in the lower chamber, giving Takaichi broad authority to pursue her policy agenda.
Decisive Victory for Takaichi and the LDP
Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, called the snap election months after assuming office with the aim of consolidating support for her conservative platform. Her governing coalition’s commanding performance exceeded expectations and secured the LDP’s best Lower House result in decades, empowering her to advance major legislative initiatives without significant resistance from the opposition.
The supermajority not only allows the government to pass ordinary legislation with ease, but also strengthens its hand in navigating contentious issues such as economic reform, defense policy, and changes to Japan’s security posture. Analysts say the result reflects broad voter endorsement of Takaichi’s leadership and policy direction.
International Reactions
World leaders quickly reacted to the results. Among them, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to congratulate Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on her electoral triumph. In his tweet, PM Modi expressed confidence that the India-Japan relationship would “reach greater heights” under her leadership, highlighting the deep strategic partnership between the two nations.
Modi’s message also reaffirmed the importance of cooperation on issues relating to peace, stability, and prosperity in the broader Indo-Pacific region, signaling continued collaboration between India and Japan in the years ahead.
What Comes Next
With the new supermajority, Takaichi is expected to pursue an ambitious agenda that includes economic stimulus measures, defense enhancements, and potential revisions to long-standing policy frameworks. While her leadership has drawn both domestic and international attention, the LDP’s robust victory positions Japan for significant political and legislative activity in the coming months.
Key Results
- LDP wins 316 seats, achieving an outright two-thirds supermajority.
- Coalition with JIP brings even broader legislative scope.
- PM Modi tweets congratulations to Takaichi.
This landmark election outcome underscores a new phase in Japanese politics, with potential implications for regional diplomacy and domestic governance alike.
Originally written by: KANAKO TAKAHARA, FRANCIS TANG AND GABRIELE NINIVAGGI
Link to the article: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/09/japan/politics/japan-2026-lower-house-election/
