ANI | Washington DC / Tokyo
Updated: Feb 9, 2026
US President Donald Trump on Sunday congratulated Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her ruling coalition on what he described as a “landslide victory” in Japan’s general election, calling the outcome historic and praising her leadership.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “Congratulations to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her Coalition on a LANDSLIDE Victory in today’s very important Vote.” He described Takaichi as a “highly respected and very popular Leader” and said her decision to call an election had “paid off big time.”
Trump noted that Takaichi’s party secured a two-thirds supermajority in the legislature, calling it “a HISTORIC TWO-THIRDS SUPERMAJORITY — the first time since World War II.” He added, “It was my Honor to Endorse you and your Coalition. I wish you Great Success in passing your Conservative, Peace Through Strength Agenda.”
Commending Japanese voters, Trump said the “wonderful people of Japan” had voted with enthusiasm and would “always have my strong support.” In a rare direct endorsement of a foreign leader during an election, he declared, “As President of the United States of America, it is my Honor to give a Complete and Total Endorsement of her, and what her highly respected Coalition is representing.” He concluded by stating in capital letters, “SHE WILL NOT LET THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN DOWN!”
Trump also said he was looking forward to welcoming Takaichi to the White House on March 19, recalling his recent visit to Japan, during which he and his delegation were “extremely impressed” with her leadership. Highlighting bilateral cooperation, he pointed to close coordination between Washington and Tokyo on national security and trade, noting that the two countries have worked together on “a very substantial Trade Deal” that benefits both sides.
Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) won a two-thirds majority in the 465-member House of Representatives, securing over 310 seats and giving Prime Minister Takaichi a decisive mandate to advance her conservative policy agenda, Kyodo News reported. Crossing the two-thirds threshold allows the ruling coalition to pass legislation and pursue constitutional revisions even if blocked by the upper House of Councillors. The LDP is the first party in postwar Japan to achieve such a margin.
The landslide result marks a sharp increase from the party’s pre-election strength of 198 seats and has been widely attributed to Takaichi’s personal popularity. Along with its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), the LDP will command a dominant presence in the lower house, reinforcing Takaichi’s position after she took office in October.
The Trump administration also formally congratulated Takaichi on the victory. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said President Trump shares a “great relationship” with the Japanese leader and remarked that “when Japan is strong, the U.S. is strong in Asia.” US Ambassador to Japan George Glass called the outcome an “impressive win” and said Washington looks forward to deepening cooperation between the two nations.
Japan’s Prime Minister later welcomed Trump’s message, saying the Japan–US alliance is rooted in “deep trust and close, strong cooperation.” “The potential of our Alliance is limitless,” Takaichi said, stressing the importance of continued collaboration to promote peace and prosperity.
Takaichi’s upcoming visit to Washington — her first since taking office — will precede Trump’s planned April visit to China, amid heightened regional tensions over the Taiwan Strait. The US State Department said it looks forward to advancing shared security and economic priorities with Japan, describing the alliance as “the cornerstone of peace, security and prosperity” in the Indo-Pacific region. (ANI)
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