By The South Asia Times

Tokyo -  Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, is on course to secure a commanding majority in the House of Representatives following Sunday’s general election, according to early results and projections by Kyodo News.

 

The anticipated victory is widely attributed to Takaichi’s personal popularity, strengthening her position and paving the way for her continued leadership.

 

The LDP, contesting the election in coalition with the Japan Innovation Party, is projected to win comfortably more than the 233 seats required for a majority in the 465-member lower house -- an increase from the 198 seats it held before the vote.

 

If projections hold, the ruling bloc is expected to capture at least 261 seats, giving it firm control of parliamentary committees and a decisive numerical advantage over opposition parties. Such dominance would significantly ease the passage of government legislation.

 

The election comes at a time when Japan is grappling with persistent inflation and an increasingly challenging global security environment. Takaichi has pledged to implement what she describes as a “responsible yet aggressive” fiscal strategy while strengthening the country’s defense capabilities in response to regional tensions.

 

Meanwhile, the newly formed Centrist Reform Alliance -- created in January through the merger of lower house members from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito -- is projected to suffer notable losses, signaling a setback for the main opposition.

 

Smaller parties appear poised to make gains. The populist Sanseito party, campaigning under its “Japanese First” platform, is expected to expand its presence in parliament. Team Mirai, a group promoting the use of digital technologies to increase political participation, is forecast to win its first-ever seat.

 

Polling stations closed nationwide at 8 p.m., though heavy snowfall across several regions, including Tokyo, may have dampened voter turnout. Final results are expected later, but early indicators point to a decisive mandate for Takaichi and her governing coalition.