New Delhi: Japan holds a snap general election on February 8, 2026, called unexpectedly by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi only months into her tenure. One of the shortest national campaigns in Japan’s history, the election centres on securing a clear parliamentary majority for Takaichi’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its partner, the Japan Innovation Party. Early polls strongly support Takaichi’s coalition.
Snap elections in Japan
The current snap election was called by the ruling party with the aim of transforming Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s early popularity into a more secure governing mandate. After assuming office after her predecessor’s resignation, Takaichi has sought explicit voter endorsement for her economic and security program. These, often divisive and new ideas, which include increased defence spending, immigration policy changes and economic measures to ease cost-of-living would need strong government backing to be implemented.
Japan’s current coalition holds a relatively slim majority and for the ruling dispensation to bring about desirable changes, a stronger parliamentary position is needed. It is only then that ample freedom to shape legislation would be possible for the ruling coalition. Especially so in times of regional and global uncertainty and Japan’s positing in them.
Trump endorses Takaichi
Continuing his unending streak of non-traditional, contentious and radical ways of conducting politics, be it domestic or global, US President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Prime Minister Takaichi ahead of the election, saying she “deserves powerful recognition” and offered his “complete and total endorsement” of her and her ruling coalition.
The US President further announced that he will host her at the White House on March 19, post-elections. While US leaders have traditionally refrained from publicly backing individual foreign candidates, Trump has upended that, often using social media to support conservative leaders across the globe.
Trump’s foreign endorsements
In Trump’s Takaichi support many see ideological alignments on several levels. Takaichi in her relatively short-lived reign till now has looked to attempt deepening of security and economic cooperation with the US. Her nationalist and defence-oriented outlooks also mirror that of the US President.
Whoever much influence Trump’s endorsement may have for Takaichi, it is clear that Trump has started a new trend of endorsing foreign leaders. In addition to Takaichi, he has lent support to right-leaning figures such as Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Argentina’s Javier Milei. In both cases, it was speculated that similar ideological positioning was the primary reason for Trump’s support. Be it staunch nationalism, tougher immigration stances or scepticism toward multilateral global institutions that were the reason, Trump’s informal efforts to cultivate a network of ideologically aligned leaders is now becoming a trend.