In Japan’s February 8, 2026 snap election, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi led her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to an historic landslide victory, securing 316 of 465 lower house seats ~ a supermajority, and the party’s biggest win since its founding ~ solidifying her mandate as Japan’s first female PM, and advancing her conservative economic reforms, tax cuts, and tough foreign policy stance.
This outcome, achieved just months after she took office, boosted Japanese stocks to record highs and granted her coalition (with partners like Japan Innovation Party) overriding power in parliament.
The issue with China
In November 2025 (before the election), she stated in parliament that a Chinese attack or blockade on Taiwan could create a “survival-threatening” or “existential crisis” situation for Japan, potentially justifying military involvement under Japan’s collective self-defense laws. This sparked a major diplomatic crisis: China retaliated with economic pressure (e.g., discouraging tourism to Japan, import restrictions), summoned Japan’s ambassador, and repeatedly demanded she retract the “erroneous remarks.”
After her February 8, 2026 landslide win gave her a supermajority and stronger mandate, she hasn’t backed down or apologized. Instead, she reaffirmed plans to strengthen Japan’s security policy, boost defense capabilities, and deepen the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” framework.
In her post-election press conference, she said Japan remains “open to various dialogues with China” and will handle relations “in calm and appropriate ways” from Japan’s national interest perspective—but she gave no indication of retracting her Taiwan comments.
China responded immediately on February 9 (the day after the election), with its foreign ministry spokesperson urging her again to retract the remarks, warning against “reckless actions” or “repeating the mistakes of militarism,” and insisting Beijing’s policy toward Japan won’t change due to the election.
Analysts note her tough line (including potential Yasukuni Shrine visits and pro-Taiwan leanings) actually boosted her popularity domestically, as China’s pressure backfired. Bottom line is that her position effectively signals that “Japan won’t be intimidated and will defend its interests ~ including against threats over Taiwan” ~ which Beijing interprets as highly provocative.
It’s not looking like Japan is interested in bending to Chinese will.
Japan and the United States
At the same time, Takaichi’s relationship with President Trump is warm and positive. Shortly after becoming PM in October 2025, she hosted Trump lavishly during his Tokyo visit (including a gift of a golf putter once used by Shinzo Abe, Trump’s late friend). They declared a “new golden age” for the US-Japan alliance, signed deals on rare earths and investments, and appeared together on the USS George Washington, heaping compliments on each other. Trump praised her for breaking Japan’s “glass ceiling” as the first female PM.
Takaichi called the alliance “unshakable,” and looks forward to her scheduled White House visit on March 19, 2026, to deepen ties on security, economy, and countering regional challenges (think China). Like so many other countries mysteriously not having a work force sufficient to power the infrastructure in place, she has to run a balance between a shrinking population and sustainable immigration.