Japan's Takaichi wins strong new mandateA political Tsunami swept across Japan as recent national elections delivered a resounding victory for the incumbent party and its maverick leader, Sanae Takaichi. Ms Takaichi, 64, hails from the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a staid political institution that has essentially ruled Japan since 1955. China's crude but predictable pressure on Ms Takaichi after her unprecedented remarks that Japan could intervene militarily in a hypothetical Taiwan Straits crisis rattled East Asian perceptions. Ms Takaichi will also visit South Korea in March to meet with its leader, Lee Jae Myung. President Donald Trump expects to meet Ms Takaichi for a Summit slated for March 19 in Washington.

Source: Bangkok Post February 19, 2026 02:07 UTC