Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi appears on course for a decisive victory in this Sunday’s - February 8 - House of Representatives election, with opinion polls pointing to a landslide that could significantly strengthen her grip on power and reshape the country’s political agenda, The Dong-a Ilbo in South Korea reports.

Referring to surveys published by major Japanese media suggesting the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is set to secure a clear single-party majority, with its combined seat total alongside coalition partner Japan Innovation Party potentially exceeding the two-thirds threshold in the 465-seat lower house, the South Korean publication reports that such an outcome would mark one of the strongest mandates for a Japanese leader in recent years and could deliver more than 300 seats to the ruling bloc if realised.

The projections imply a substantial expansion from the parties’ current representation, while the fragmented opposition is expected to suffer heavy losses – a common occurrence in Japanese politics when opposition parties are unable to work together. The fallout will likely see the newly formed centrist alliance led by Japan’s Constitutional Democratic Party retain only around half of its existing seats, further highlighting the weakness of the challenge facing the LDP government.

A commanding victory on February 8 would give Takaichi greater scope to advance an agenda centred on stronger defence capabilities, assertive fiscal policy and institutional reform. Analysts cited by The Dong-a Ilbo say it would also revive prospects for constitutional revision, a long-standing ambition of conservative leaders that has eluded previous administrations. A two-thirds majority in the lower house would also allow the government to override resistance in the upper chamber on legislation and budgets, though constitutional change would still require broader parliamentary and the backing of the general public. 

The election outcome itself is also being closely watched abroad. While relations with South Korea have improved recently through renewed diplomatic engagement between President Lee and the Japanese Prime Minister, a more empowered Takaichi administration could introduce fresh uncertainty over security and historical issues, depending on how forcefully it chooses to pursue its priorities.

Territorially too, an emboldened LDP would prove harder for both Seoul and Beijing to deal with in efforts to negotiate land ownership of a number of remote islands in the Sea of Japan and East China Sea claimed by Japan and its neighbours.