Sanae Takaichi is set to be reelected as prime minister on Wednesday in Japan's parliament, where the ruling coalition holds a supermajority in the Lower House. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), secured 352 seats out of 465 following the February 8 election. In the Upper House, the coalition falls five seats short of a majority, making a first-round reelection unlikely but a runoff victory probable.
Japan's parliament is scheduled to vote on reelecting Sanae Takaichi as prime minister on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The ruling bloc, comprising the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP, also known as Nippon Ishin no Kai), holds 352 seats in the 465-seat Lower House following the February 8 election. This supermajority, exceeding three-quarters of the chamber, makes the outcome all but certain.
In the Upper House, the LDP-JIP coalition possesses 120 out of 248 seats, falling five short of a majority. As a result, Takaichi is unlikely to secure reelection in the initial round of voting, but the coalition is well-positioned to prevail in a potential runoff. The February 8 election has solidified the ruling parties' dominance in the Lower House, facilitating smoother passage of budgets and legislation.
Keywords associated with the event include LDP, Sanae Takaichi, CRA, DPP, Diet, and budgets, highlighting key players and issues in the ongoing parliamentary session.
