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Japanese PM's election gamble set to pay off
Japan's ultra conservative prime minister is set to seize more power after an exit poll suggested she has secured a big majority in the lower house following a snap election.
Sanae Takaichi's coalition is predicted to win between 302 and 366 of the 465 seats in the chamber, according to national broadcaster NHK. That is well above the 233 needed for a majority.
In tandem with their coalition partners, her government is actually projected to have a two-thirds majority in the house, the NHK decision desk says. It comes after Ms Takaichi, 64, called the winter election, seeking to capitalise on her own high approval ratings.
Betting on herself, she pledged to secure a majority or step down. A former heavy metal drummer, she says immigration and tourism has led to "foreigner fatigue" in Japan, and her nationalist rhetoric has stoked tensions with China.
She's also anti-gay marriage and a vocal defender of traditional gender roles, and sees late British prime minister Margaret Thatcher as a role model. Furthermore, her government plans to step away from Japan's post-war pacifist principles, bolstering the military and lifting a ban on weapons exports.
Ms Takaichi became the nation's first female prime minister in October, pledging to "work, work, work" and nurturing an upbeat image. She's won support among younger voters and her personal style has been praised by fans, with admirers now facing a nine-month wait to purchase her signature Hamano black bag.
And she's curried favour with Donald Trump; he appeared alongside her during a visit last year, gave her his endorsement, and called her a "winner.
Amir Nisi
Creative and experienced content writer with 6+ years of experience lazy to create unique content strategy for News5 to turn website visitors into customers.
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