Japan’s “Iron Lady” Secures Supermajority to Remilitarize Nation in Historic Shift
TOKYO — In a watershed moment for East Asian geopolitics, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has secured a resounding mandate to transform Japan’s military posture, following a landslide victory in Sunday’s general election. Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, led her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to a staggering supermajority, capturing 316 of the 465 seats in the Lower House—a victory that grants her the legislative power to pursue her most ambitious and controversial goal: the revision of Japan’s pacifist constitution.
Deep Search: A Mandate for “Proactive Deterrence”
The sheer scale of the victory, the largest for the LDP since 1986, has been interpreted by analysts as a decisive public endorsement of Takaichi’s “responsible and aggressive” security agenda. Since taking office in October 2025, Takaichi has moved swiftly to shed Japan’s post-war constraints.
Record Defense Spending: The administration has already approved a record 9.04 trillion yen ($58 billion) defense budget for fiscal 2026, marking the 14th consecutive year of growth.
Operational Shifts: The new budget prioritizes “counter-strike capabilities,” including the acquisition of long-range missiles capable of reaching targets deep within hostile territory, a capability previously considered unconstitutional.
Constitutional Revision: With a two-thirds majority in the Lower House, Takaichi now possesses the numbers to initiate a national referendum on Article 9 of the Constitution, which technically bans the maintenance of war potential.
Background Info: Rising Tensions and Alliances
This aggressive pivot comes amidst a deteriorating security environment in the Indo-Pacific. Takaichi has explicitly cited the “existential threat” posed by China’s military expansion and increasing pressure on Taiwan. “We must possess the strength to deter aggression before it begins,” Takaichi told supporters in Tokyo. “Diplomacy without power is voiceless.”
Her administration has also moved to lock in support from key allies. Takaichi is scheduled to visit Washington, D.C., on March 19 to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, who endorsed her candidacy and has called for Japan to shoulder a greater share of the regional security burden. The meeting is expected to solidify a new joint operational command structure, integrating Japanese Self-Defense Forces more closely with U.S. military operations in the region.
Objections: Economic Anxiety and Regional backlash
Despite the electoral triumph, Takaichi’s roadmap faces fierce opposition both at home and abroad.
Economic Fragility: Critics argue that the administration’s focus on military expansion ignores pressing domestic crises. Japan’s economy remains fragile, with persistent inflation squeezing household budgets. “You cannot eat cruise missiles,” said the leader of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, warning that financing the defense buildup could require deeply unpopular tax hikes or aggressive debt issuance that risks destabilizing the yen.
Diplomatic Fallout: The reaction from Japan’s neighbors has been immediate and hostile. Beijing has condemned the election results as a “return to militarism,” with Chinese state media warning of “severe countermeasures” if Tokyo proceeds with constitutional revision. Similarly, relations with South Korea remain complicated, as historical grievances clash with the necessity for trilateral security cooperation.
Public Division: While the LDP won a supermajority of seats, voter turnout remained near 56%, suggesting that the “mandate” may reflect a lack of viable opposition rather than unified national enthusiasm for remilitarization. A significant portion of the public remains wary of abandoning the pacifist principles that have defined Japan’s post-war identity for 80 years.
As the new Diet session convenes, all eyes will be on whether Prime Minister Takaichi can translate her electoral dominance into a lasting transformation of Japan’s global standing without fracturing the economy or igniting a regional conflict.
globaltimes.cn
washingtonpost.com
