Supermajority Gives Japan's Takaichi Strong Hand at Home and Abroad

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's blowout election victory gives her an unprecedented shot at shaking Japan out of its long economic funk and taking on a bigger security role deterring Chinese ambitions in Asia.

Her agenda includes new investment in strategic industries, temporary tax relief for inflation-weary consumers and fatter defense budgets.

For the U.S., Takaichi's triumph ensures Japan is led by a prime minister who is in broad agreement with American goals, especially President Trump's imperative of getting allies to spend more on regional security.