Overview
- Parliament elected Sanae Takaichi prime minister with 237 votes, surpassing the LDP–Japan Innovation Party tally of 231 and indicating backing from some independents.
- The LDP signed a coalition agreement with the Japan Innovation Party after Komeito ended their 26-year partnership, and Ishin has not taken cabinet posts, according to reporting.
- Despite the pact, the bloc remains a minority in both houses and cannot pass budgets or legislation without votes from outside parties.
- LDP leaders are courting independents and other lawmakers, with experts noting a potential ‘ippon‑zuri’ one-by-one recruitment strategy and floating a snap election as a possibility.
- Takaichi has pledged to deepen ties with the United States as President Trump prepares to visit Japan, while signaling she could seek adjustments to the new tariff–investment deal if it proves unfair to Japan.