Overview
- The Liberal Democratic Party won 316 lower-house seats and, with the Japan Innovation Party, the ruling bloc holds 352, securing a two-thirds supermajority.
- Takaichi is reappointing her Cabinet, advancing a delayed budget, and preparing for Diet votes next week to confirm her as prime minister.
- Her agenda includes revising security policy by December to strengthen strike capabilities, lifting weapons export restrictions, raising defense spending, and tightening immigration and anti-espionage measures.
- South Korea’s Foreign Ministry says Japan’s defense buildup and looser arms-export rules are “issues we cannot ignore,” while Chinese commentary portrays Takaichi as a China-hawk and predicts strain in ties.
- The government is designing a state-led industrial strategy prioritizing 17 sectors including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technology and next-generation batteries.