Exit polls point to strong win for Japan’s LDP
Voting has concluded in Japan’s snap general election called by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, with exit polls indicating a clear victory for her Liberal Democrat Party (LDP). The outcome would give Japan’s first female prime minister a strong public mandate just four months after she assumed leadership of the party. This projected win marks a sharp turnaround for the LDP, which had suffered heavy losses under Takaichi’s two immediate predecessors amid corruption scandals and rising living costs that eroded public trust. Despite losing its parliamentary majority and seeing its long-standing coalition with Komeito collapse, the party appears to have regained voter confidence under her leadership. According to projections by public broadcaster NHK, the LDP is on course to secure 274 of the 328 seats in the House of Representatives. Takaichi’s personal approval ratings, which have consistently remained above 70%, are […]