Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi as her ruling coalition led by her Liberal Democratic Party is poised to win Sunday’s snap Japanese general election, which she demanded within four months of becoming prime minister.
“Congratulations Sanae Takaichi on your landmark victory in the House of Representatives elections!,” Modi said in a post on X.
“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 even greater heights,” he added.
Capitalizing on her honeymoon start as Japan’s first female prime minister, Takaichi is set to storm back to power, with her ruling bloc looking certain to secure a two-thirds majority in Japan’s lower house of parliament, according to media estimates.
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It would be the party’s best result since the 2017 election, in which the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) fought under Shinzo Abe, the former prime minister who was assassinated. Abe was Takaichi’s mentor.
“We have consistently emphasized the importance of responsible and proactive fiscal policy,” a beaming Takaichi said late Sunday, according to an AFP report.
“We will prioritize the sustainability of fiscal policy. We will ensure the necessary investments. Both the public and private sectors must invest. We will build a strong and resilient economy,” she said.
Scott Bessent, US Treasury Secretary, hailed Takaichi’s “big win”, saying “when Japan is strong, the US is strong in Asia”.
Takaichi-Trump bonhomie
Two days before Japan’s election, US President Donald Trump endorsed Takaichi, calling her “a strong, powerful and wise leader and one who truly loves her country”.
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Takaichi reciprocated on Sunday, saying in a post on X: “I am sincerely grateful to President Donald J. Trump for his warm words.”
“I look forward to visiting the White House this spring and continuing our joint work to further strengthen the Japan-US alliance,” she added.
“Our alliance and friendship with the United States of America is built on deep trust and close, strong cooperation. The potential of our Alliance is LIMITLESS. Let us work together to ensure that our Alliance continues to bring peace and prosperity to our two nations – and beyond,” Takaichi also said.