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Japan's prime minister selection
Japan will convene a special Diet session on Feb. 18 to designate a new prime minister after the lower house vote.
“Japan will hold a special Diet session on Feb. 18 to designate a new prime minister following Sunday's House of Representatives election, Jiji Press reported.”
Constitutional rules require an extraordinary session within 30 days of the lower-house election.
On opening day the incumbent cabinet will resign and the two chambers will vote separately, with the lower house prevailing if the chambers disagree.
Sanae Takaichi, as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party that holds more than two-thirds of lower-house seats, is widely expected to be designated prime minister.
This reflects the formal procedure reported by Jiji Press.
Election seat projections
Exit polls and many outlets projected a landslide for Takaichi's LDP and its coalition partner, with seat estimates varying by source but commonly placing the LDP well above the 233-seat majority and in some counts near or above the two-thirds threshold; NHK and network projections appeared as high as 366 for the coalition and about 328 for the LDP alone, while other tallies cited ranges such as roughly 274-328 seats for the LDP.
Those projections underpin expectations that the House of Representatives will formally designate Takaichi when the Diet meets.
Takaichi campaign pledges
Takaichi’s campaign pledges include suspension of the 8% sales tax on food, a large fiscal stimulus, and a sharp increase in defence spending.
“Her key pledges—suspending the 8% sales tax on food and sharply increasing military spending to counter China—are popular with voters but have alarmed markets and raised questions about how to pay for them given Japan’s high public debt.”
These proposals are consistently reported across a broad spectrum of media outlets.
Supporters and some business leaders praise the promise of political stability and economic growth, while economists and markets repeatedly warn about funding and Japan’s heavy public debt.
Analysts say revising or better defining Japan’s pacifist constitution (Article 9) is a central security aim, although outlets differ on the practical prospects for constitutional change.
Market and fiscal reactions
Observers and markets reacted unevenly, with some reports noting immediate positive market moves and business praise for political stability.
Many economists and investment commentators warned that promised tax cuts combined with higher defence and stimulus spending would strain public finances and risk market volatility.
Japan’s record public debt, often cited as above 200% of GDP, and recent yen and bond-market sensitivity are repeatedly referenced as constraints on Takaichi’s fiscal room for manoeuvre.
Diplomatic fallout over Takaichi
International and diplomatic reactions are mixed: Takaichi's tougher stance on China and remarks about Taiwan prompted a sharp response from Beijing in some reports, while U.S. political figures and other foreign leaders offered congratulations or praise.
“A remark that a Chinese move on Taiwan could be an “existential threat” prompted a diplomatic clash with Beijing and suggestions Japan might more readily deploy its Self‑Defense Forces.”
Sources differ in emphasis; some highlight deeper ties with the United States and regional democracies, while others warn of rising tensions with China and of risks associated with visits to sensitive memorials.
The Feb. 18 Diet session will be watched not only as a domestic formality to designate a prime minister but as the moment when Tokyo's upcoming policy trajectory becomes clearer.