**Sanae Takaichi assumed office as Japan’s first female prime minister in October 2025 and secured a commanding position through the February 2026 snap election.** The Liberal Democratic Party won a record 316 seats in the lower house, delivering a two-thirds supermajority and the largest postwar majority for any single party. This outcome, driven by strong personal support especially among younger voters, gave her administration broad legislative leeway and reinforced coalition ties with the Japan Innovation Party. Recent actions further underscore stability: the September 2026 cabinet reshuffle retained core ministers responsible for foreign policy, defense, and finance while adding a coalition partner representative, signaling continuity ahead of the extraordinary Diet session. Approval ratings have remained solid overall despite a temporary dip, and no major leadership challenges or constitutional triggers for removal have emerged before year-end. Traders view these factors as creating a high barrier to her departure in 2026, with the next LDP presidential contest not due until 2027.