Japan’s Takaichi Formally Elected PM, Eyes Swift Budget Passage

Sanae Takaichi receives applause after being reappointed Prime Minister in the lower house of parliament on Feb. 18.
Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg

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By Sakura Murakami

February 18, 2026 at 6:04 AM UTC

Updated on

February 18, 2026 at 2:35 PM UTC

Sanae Takaichi was reappointed as Japan’s Prime Minister following her resounding electoral win, a formality that allows her to turn her attention to expediting passage of the annual budget and implementing a trade deal agreed with US President Donald Trump.

The vote in parliament to affirm her as leader on Wednesday was virtually assured after her Liberal Democratic Party secured a two-thirds majority in the lower house in the Feb. 8 election. She kept her cabinet lineup unchanged.