Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday expressed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen relations with Japan following the re-election of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
In a message posted on X, PM Shehbaz congratulated the Japanese leader, saying, “Congratulations to HE Ms Sanae Takaichi @takaichi_sanae on her re-election as the Prime Minister of Japan.”
He added, “We look forward to continue working with Prime Minister Takaichi to further strengthen and diversify our excellent bilateral relations with Japan.”
President Asif Ali Zardari also extended his congratulations to Prime Minister Takaichi on her historic landslide victory and conveyed his best wishes for her leadership in steering Japan toward greater prosperity.
Japan’s first female prime minister secured a decisive win in Sunday’s elections, with her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) clinching 316 out of 465 seats in the lower house — the party’s strongest performance to date.
Together with coalition partner Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), Prime Minister Takaichi now commands 352 seats, giving her a two-thirds supermajority that enables her government to advance legislation even without support in the upper chamber.
Commenting on the outcome, Takaichi said in a televised interview, “This election involved major policy shifts particularly a major shift in economic and fiscal policy, as well as strengthening security policy.”
She added, “These are policies that have drawn a great deal of opposition … If we have received the public’s support, then we truly must tackle these issues with all our strength.”
US President Donald Trump also congratulated Takaichi, wishing her “great success in passing your Conservative, Peace Through Strength agenda” in a social media message.
“Sanae’s bold and wise decision to call for an election paid off big time,” Trump said, adding that he would host the Japanese premier at the White House next month.
The 64-year-old leader had called the rare winter election to capitalise on strong approval ratings since assuming leadership of the long-ruling LDP late last year.
While voters have responded positively to her direct and disciplined leadership style, her nationalist outlook and strong focus on security have strained relations with China, and her proposed tax cuts have unsettled financial markets.
