Japan PM Sanae Takaichi Set To Secure Large Majority In Snap Elections: Exit Polls

Last Updated:February 08, 2026, 17:47 IST

Sanae Takaichi-led LDP is set for a big win in Japan’s snap election, likely securing over 300 seats, boosting LDP despite recent scandals and inflation concerns.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi-led Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is likely to secure a large majority of over 300 seats in Japan’s lower house in a snap election Sunday, according to public broadcaster NHK’s exit polls.

While LDP is slated to secure 274 to 328 seats in the 465-member lower house, the largest opposition party, the Centrist Reform Alliance, may lose around half its seats, the data stated.

If LDP wins, it can chair all 17 standing committees in the chamber and hold a majority of seats in them.

With Takaichi likely to win the polls, it will give a boost to the LDP, which has governed Japan almost in successions for decades but lost little support in recent elections due to rising prices and corruption.

Also Read: Japan General Election Voting Begins, PM Sanae Takaichi Eyes Big Victory

“With prices rising like this, what matters most to me is what policies they’ll adopt to deal with inflation," Chika Sakamoto, 50, told AFP at a voting station in a snowy Tokyo on Sunday.

“Prices for just about everything are really going up, but incomes aren’t rising much, so our disposable income is shrinking," she said.

According to AFP, last year under her predecessor Shigeru Ishiba, the ruling bloc lost its majority in the upper house, and in 2024 the LDP lost its majority in the lower chamber.

Takaichi, Japan’s first female leader since October, enjoys significant popularity. However, her party, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has been marred by funding and religious scandals, hindering its performance despite having governed Japan for most of the past seven decades. By calling for these snap elections, Takaichi aims to reverse the party’s fortunes.

Takaichi’s “work, work, work" pledge and her blend of playful yet tough leadership have particularly resonated with younger voters.

Takaichi has stated she will step down if the LDP fails to win a majority.

News world Japan PM Sanae Takaichi Set To Secure Large Majority In Snap Elections: Exit Polls

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