On Sunday, PM Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi following her decisive win in the snap general election, voicing optimism that bilateral relations between the two countries would continue to deepen.
Taking to X, PM Modi posted, “Congratulations Sanae Takaichi on your landmark victory in the elections to the House of Representatives!”
“Our Special Strategic and Global Partnership plays a vital role in enhancing global peace, stability and prosperity. I am confident that under your able leadership, we will continue to take the India-Japan friendship to greater heights,” the post further read.
Congratulations Sanae Takaichi on your landmark victory in the elections to the House of Representatives!
Our Special Strategic and Global Partnership plays a vital role in enhancing…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 8, 2026
PM Modi recalled that the two leaders had met on the margins of the G20 Summit on November 23 last year.
During that bilateral discussion, they explored ways to accelerate collaboration across key areas such as innovation, defence and the movement of skilled professionals.
Following that meeting, PM Modi had noted on X that talks with Takaichi were constructive, focusing on strengthening trade links and expanding cooperation in emerging sectors. He had emphasised that a robust partnership between India and Japan was essential for addressing global challenges and building a more sustainable future.
Had a productive meeting with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan. We discussed ways to add momentum to bilateral cooperation in areas such as innovation, defence, talent mobility and more. We are also looking to enhance trade ties between our nations. A strong India-Japan… pic.twitter.com/4UexmElSwQ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 23, 2025
Exit Polls Predict Strong Mandate for LDP
Exit polls, however, indicated that the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), led by Takaichi, Japan’s first woman Prime Minister, was likely to secure a clear majority in the House of Representatives.
Projections suggested the party could even approach a two-thirds majority with the support of allies.
According to an exit poll released by public broadcaster NHK shortly after voting ended, the LDP was expected to win between 274 and 328 of the 465 seats in the lower house, comfortably surpassing the 233 seats required to form a government.
When combined with its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, the ruling bloc could potentially command as many as 366 seats in the House of Representatives, the projections showed.
Takaichi had dissolved the lower house on January 23 to call the snap election, marking the first such dissolution at the opening of a regular parliamentary session in six decades. She had publicly pledged to resign if her coalition failed to retain its majority.
Despite that high-stakes move, multiple opinion surveys ahead of polling day had consistently pointed to a comfortable victory for the LDP, a forecast that now appears to have been borne out by the exit polls.
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