Japan's House of Representatives election on February 9 resulted in a victory for the ruling coalition, with the Liberal Democratic Party securing 316 seats and the coalition totaling 352. Incumbent Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to be re-elected on February 18. Experts warn that this could accelerate Japan's military expansion and strain China-Japan relations.
The results of Japan's House of Representatives election were announced on February 9, 2026, with the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Nippon Ishin no Kai securing 352 seats, surpassing the two-thirds majority. The LDP alone won 316 seats, paving the way for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's re-election when parliament convenes on February 18.
Since taking office, Takaichi has advanced aggressive military measures, including accelerating revisions to the 'Three Security Documents' to shift Japan's defense policy from 'exclusive defense' to 'proactive defense,' and seeking to enshrine the Self-Defense Forces in the Constitution. Chen Yang, a Japanese affairs scholar and visiting research fellow at Liaoning University's Institute of Japan Studies, stated that with minimal opposition in the Diet, Takaichi's administration could complete the revisions within 2026 to establish her personal political legacy. He noted that this military buildup raises alarms among neighbors, particularly against the backdrop of historical revisionism in Japanese politics.
Shiro Hanatani, a Japanese city councilor, expressed unease, warning that Takaichi's continued leadership would lead to even more hawkish policies, heightening tensions in Asia. He urged Japan to reflect on World War II lessons and reaffirm the pledge of 'no war between Japan and China,' contributing to Asian peace through dialogue and restraint.
Takaichi recently stated on a television program that she is 'trying to create an environment' to visit the Yasukuni Shrine, which commemorates 14 convicted Class-A war criminals from World War II. She has also made provocative remarks on the Taiwan question, suggesting possible military intervention. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian urged Japan's authorities to heed international concerns, pursue peaceful development rather than repeat militarism, and abide by the four political documents between China and Japan. He called for retracting Takaichi's erroneous Taiwan-related statements to safeguard bilateral relations.
Experts highlight that Takaichi faces domestic challenges like persistent inflation and yen depreciation, alongside diplomatic pressures to maintain the Japan-U.S. alliance. Chen Yang emphasized that repairing China-Japan ties post-election will test Tokyo's diplomacy, requiring adherence to commitments on history and Taiwan issues to get relations back on track.
