Exit Poll Shows Takaichi’s Ruling Bloc on Path to Win Majority in Japan
Tokyo: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s ruling coalition is almost certain to win a one-party majority in key parliamentary elections on Sunday, public broadcaster NHK and other major networks say, based on exit poll results.
NHK said the ruling coalition led by Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party could win more than two-thirds of the 465-seat lower house, the most powerful in the country’s two-chamber parliament.
The big jump in the pre-election share could allow Takaichi to make headway on a right-wing agenda aimed at boosting Japan’s economy and military capabilities as tensions with China rise and Takaichi seeks to improve ties with Washington.
Takaichi took office as Japan’s first female leader in October.
Takaichi is hugely popular, but the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which has ruled Japan for much of the last seven decades, is plagued by funding and religious scandals. Hoping to reverse the situation before his popularity wanes, he called Sunday’s snap election after three months in office.
He wants to advance a right-wing agenda aimed at boosting Japan’s economy and military capabilities as tensions with China rise. He also wants to improve ties with his key U.S. ally and sometimes unpredictable President Donald Trump.
Popular leader set to win big
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Takaichi, an ultraconservative who took office as Japan’s first female leader in October, has vowed to “work, work, work” and her style, seen as both playful and tough, has resonated with young fans.
Latest polls showed the LDP securing a landslide victory in the lower house. The opposition appears too fragmented to be a real challenger, despite the formation of a new centrist alliance and the rise of the far right.
Takaichi is betting that his LDP party, along with its new partner the Japan Innovation Party, will win a majority in the 465-seat lower house, the most powerful in Japan’s two-chamber parliament.
“I will resign” if the LDP does not win a majority, he said.
Pushing right-wing policies
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A major victory for Takaichi’s coalition could mean a significant shift to the right in Japan’s security, immigration and other policies; Hirofumi Yoshimura, leader of right-wing partner JIP, says his party will act as a “catalyst.”
In Japan, we have recently seen far-right populists gaining ground, such as the anti-globalization and rising nationalist party Sanseito.
Takaichi has promised to revise security and defense policies by December to bolster Japan’s offensive military capabilities, lift the arms export ban and move away from the country’s postwar pacifist principles.
He is pushing for tougher policies on foreigners, anti-espionage and other measures that would resonate with far-right audiences, but experts say those measures could undermine civil rights.
Takaichi also wants to increase defense spending in response to Trump’s pressure on Japan to loosen purse strings.
Nation division policies are not clearly explained
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Although Takaichi said he wanted public support for his “policies of dividing the nation,” he avoided controversial issues such as ways to finance increased military spending, how to mend diplomatic tensions with China, and other contentious issues.
In his campaign speeches, Takaichi spoke enthusiastically about the need for “proactive” government spending to finance “crisis management investment and growth,” such as measures to strengthen economic security, technology and other industries. Takaichi also aims to introduce tougher measures on immigration and foreigners, including stricter requirements for foreign property owners and a cap on foreign residents.
Ritsumeikan University politics professor Masato Kamikubo said the early election, held after just three months in office, “underscores a problematic trend in Japanese politics in which political survival takes precedence over key policy outcomes.” “Every time the government attempts necessary but unpopular reforms, the next election looms on the horizon.”
Impact of snow and young voters uncertain
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There was some uncertainty. The rushed election gave people little time to prepare the grievances that were invited.
Sunday’s vote also coincided with fresh snowfall across the country, including Tokyo. Record snowfall in northern Japan over the past few weeks has closed roads and led to dozens of deaths across the country.
Kazuki Ishihara, 54, said he voted for the LDP for stability and in hopes of something new under Takaichi. His predecessors couldn’t “I have some hope that he can do something.”
Office worker Yoshinori Tamada, 50, said his interest was in the salary. “When I look at my pay slip, I think a lot and I vote for a party that I believe I can trust in this regard.”
