Japan’s ruling coalition under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was poised for a landslide victory in Sunday’s lower house election, exit polls showed, a result that could rattle financial markets and accelerate a defense buildup aimed at countering China.
Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party and coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, known as Ishin, could secure as many as 366 of the 465 seats in the chamber, a supermajority that would ease her legislative agenda, according to public broadcaster NHK.
The LDP alone is projected to win as many as 328 seats, which would be its best result since 1996, when the current electoral system was adopted.
Japan's first female prime minister, 64, called the rare winter snap election to capitalize on her buoyant personal approval ratings since she was elevated to lead the ruling LDP late last year.
Voters have been drawn to her straight-talking, hardworking image but her nationalistic leanings and emphasis on security have strained ties with powerful neighbor China, while her promises of tax cuts have rattled financial markets.
