Japan moving to right as Takaichi looks set to win

THE governing coalition of Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi looks almost certain to win a single-party majority in a key parliamentary ‘election, NHK public television and other major networks said yesterday, citing their exit poll results.

- MARI YAMAGUCHI Associated Press

NHK says Ms Takaichi’s ruling coalition, led by her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), could win more than two-thirds of the 465-seat lower house, the more powerful of the country’s two-chamber parliament.

‘The huge jump from its pre-election share could allow Ms Takaichi to make progress on a right-wing agenda that aims to boost Japan's economy and military capabilities, as tensions grow with China and she tries to nurture ties with the United States.

Ms Takaichi took office last October as Japan’s first female leader. She is hugely popular, but the LDP, which has governed Japan for most of the last seven decades, has struggled from funding and religious scandals. She called yesterday's snap elections after only three months in office, hoping to turn that around before her popularity fades.