Overview
- Lawmakers in the lower house backed Takaichi 237–228, the upper house also endorsed her, and she is set to be formally appointed after meeting Emperor Naruhito later today.
- Her Liberal Democratic Party secured support through a pact with the Japan Innovation Party, which will back government bills without taking cabinet posts.
- The LDP–Ishin arrangement leaves the government short of an outright majority at roughly 231 seats in the lower house, requiring deals with other parties on key legislation such as an extra budget.
- The policy agreement includes concessions to Ishin such as a planned 10% cut in Diet seats, temporary relief on the food consumption tax, and a goal to end corporate and organizational political donations by 2027.
- Takaichi’s agenda points to a rightward turn with tougher immigration policy, stronger defense and a push for constitutional change, as she prioritizes inflation relief and prepares for a scheduled visit by President Donald Trump next week.