Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is expected to have won about?300 seats in the?lower house of parliament, far exceeding the 233 seats required for a majority, national broadcaster NHK reported, basing projections on exit polls.

Together with its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), the LDP was projected to win 310 seats, NHK said, giving them a two-thirds majority.

"We received [voter]?backing for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's responsible, proactive fiscal policies and a strengthening of national defence capabilities," LDP secretary general Shunichi Suzuki told media.

Takaichi dissolved parliament in January and called snap elections, a gamble that she hoped would?provide her and her struggling party with a stronger footing in parliament going into the new year.

While Takaichi is hugely popular, particularly with younger voters, her conservative LDP, which has ruled the country for most of the past seven decades, has been hit by scandals?and faced?a new opposition alliance that has emerged as a potential challenger.

After seat projections became clear, Takaichi made a post on X thanking US President Donald Trump for his support.

"I look forward to visiting the White House this spring and to continuing our work together to further strengthen the Japan-US alliance," she wrote.

"Our alliance and friendship with the United States of America are built on deep trust and close, strong cooperation. The potential of our alliance is LIMITLESS."

Trump congratulated?Takaichi for her coalition's projected victory?in a post on his Truth Social platform.

"Congratulations to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her Coalition on a LANDSLIDE Victory," Trump said. "It was my Honor to Endorse you and your Coalition. I wish you Great Success in passing your Conservative, Peace Through Strength Agenda."

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te also congratulated Takaichi as the results poured in.

"May your victory bring ‍a more prosperous and secure ​future for Japan and its partners in ⁠the ​region," Lai said ‌on social media.

The projections affirm what opinion polls foresaw?ahead of Sunday's national elections: that the LDP alone would?comfortably win the 233 seats required for a majority in the 465-member lower house of parliament.

Sunday night's projections showed the LDP and its coalition partner, the populist JIP, would most likely surpass the 310 seats needed for a two-thirds majority.

This would allow the?coalition to override the upper chamber, which is controlled by the opposition.

That would be the strongest result for the LDP since Takaichi's mentor Shinzo Abe's victory in 2017. Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, was assassinated in 2022.

Such a victory would mean a significant shift to the right in Japanese politics. The LDP, which has held a narrow majority since a poor showing in elections in 2024, has struggled to push through legislation.

Takaichi had?said she would?step down if the LDP failed?to secure a majority.

NHK's projections showed that a newly formed Centrist Reform Alliance and the far-right Sanseito party were unable to?pose a serious threat to the incumbent prime minister.

The alliance looked to have lost more than two-thirds of its 167 seats, while the far-right party was projected to have increased its?seats from two to between five and 14, broadcaster NHK said.

Takaichi became Japan's first woman prime minister in October.

She has touted UK former-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher — dubbed the "Iron Lady" — as an inspiration, and her pledge to "work, work, work, work and work" has resonated with voters.

An ultraconservative and China hawk, she wants to boost Japan's defense spending and capabilities amid growing tensions with Beijing and pressure from US President Donald Trump, with whom she enjoys good ties.

She has also been pressing for tougher immigration policies and to revitalize Japan's economy.

The election was?held against the backdrop of record snowfall in many areas of the country in recent weeks, which could delay vote counting or hinder access to polling stations in some areas, even in Tokyo.

The snow has blocked roads and has been linked to dozens of deaths.

Edited by: Sean Sinico