Overview
- The Liberal Democratic Party captured 316 of 465 lower-house seats, giving Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi the numbers to override upper-house rejections and control the legislative agenda.
- Takaichi signaled a push for constitutional revision and a national referendum, though any amendment still requires upper-house approval and voter ratification.
- The government is preparing bills to establish a National Intelligence Bureau, create a CFIUS-style investment screening body, revise core security documents and expand defense capabilities.
- Economic plans include a proposed two-year consumption-tax exemption on food under review by a cross-party council and expanded investment in 17 strategic sectors such as AI, semiconductors and shipbuilding.
- China’s defense ministry warned against Japan’s rightward shift, President Donald Trump praised Takaichi’s win, opposition leaders Yoshihiko Noda and Tetsuo Saito plan to resign, and a Yomiuri poll found 55% view the result positively with 67% cabinet approval.