Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi seeks conservative shift after election gains

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party won a two-thirds supermajority in the lower house, and she has begun steps to reappoint her cabinet and advance conservative policies on security, immigration and the budget.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party won a large victory in Sunday's lower house election, giving the ruling coalition a two-thirds supermajority. On Monday she began using that mandate to push for conservative changes across security, immigration, economic and social policy. Her immediate actions include reappointing the Cabinet, moving a delayed budget and preparing for votes next week to reelect her as prime minister. The win gives the government more time without an election until 2028. What is known: - The LDP won 316 seats in the 465-member lower house, and with its new ally, the Japan Innovation Party, the coalition holds 352 seats, officials said. - The coalition has a two-thirds supermajority in the lower house but not in the upper house. - Takaichi has begun reappointing her Cabinet and is moving a delayed budget bill when the lower house reconvenes in mid-February. - She has pledged to revise security and defense policies by December, including measures aimed at bolstering military capabilities and lifting limits on weapons exports. - Takaichi has also proposed stricter immigration rules, tighter measures on foreign property ownership and stronger anti-espionage laws, which some experts say could affect civil rights. Summary: The election result gives Prime Minister Takaichi and her coalition a strong parliamentary position to pursue a conservative agenda on defense, immigration and economic policy. In the near term she will reconstitute her Cabinet, advance the delayed budget and face a formal vote to be re-elected as prime minister. Observers note the government now has an extended period to work on its priorities, while some policy details and funding mechanisms remain to be clarified.