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  "path": "/news/world/sanae-takaichi-donald-trump-japan-margaret-thatcher-pm-election",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-09T03:25:24.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Donald Trump issues message to America as he misses Super Bowl after blasting 'terrible choices'",
    "'I did not see it!' Donald Trump refuses to apologise over controversial Obama social media video",
    "Japan's cherry blossom festival cancelled over unruly tourist ‘crisis’",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nDonald Trump has lauded Japan's \"Iron Lady\" Prime Minister after she secured an overwhelming election victory.\n\nPM Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party won 316 seats in the Japanese Parliament's lower house after a snap election this week.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMr Trump gave his congratulations to Mrs Takaichi - whom he had earlier endorsed - in a social media post.\n\nAddressing the Japanese PM directly, the President said: \"It was my honour to endorse you and your coalition.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"I wish you great success in passing your conservative, peace through strength agenda.\n\nHe added that Mrs Takaichi's decision to call an election was \"bold and wise\".\n\nWith coalition partner Japan Innovation Party, she now leads 352 seats and a supermajority in Japan's legislature - the first of its kind since the Second World War.\n\nMrs Takaichi, 64, called a winter snap election in a gamble to boost her majority after high personal approval ratings.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"This election involved major policy shifts — particularly a major shift in economic and fiscal policy, as well as strengthening security policy,\" said Mrs Takaichi as the results rolled in.\n\nShe 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.\"\n\nVoters tackled record snowfall to cast their votes, with some polling stations closing early and 37 train lines closed.\n\nWinter elections are a rarity in Japan, with this being only the third post-war election held in February.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:\n\n\n\n\n  * Donald Trump issues message to America as he misses Super Bowl after blasting 'terrible choices'\n  * 'I did not see it!' Donald Trump refuses to apologise over controversial Obama social media video\n  * Japan's cherry blossom festival cancelled over unruly tourist ‘crisis’\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nKazushige Cho, 54, walked through deep snow and below-freezing temperatures in the mountainous Niigata prefecture to cast his vote.\n\nHe said: \"It feels like she’s creating a sense of direction - like the whole country is pulling together and moving forward.\"\n\nMrs Takaichi sees Margaret Thatcher as a personal idol - and like the \"Iron Lady\", is her country's first female Prime Minister.\n\nThe future PM met Baroness Thatcher at a symposium shortly before her death in 2013.\n\nShe has been vocal in her criticism of China, and suggested this year that Japan could form a \"quasi-security alliance\" with Taiwan against Beijing.\n\nWeeks after taking office, she sparked Chinese fury by publicly outlining how Tokyo might respond to an attack on Taiwan.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nChina responded with several countermeasures, including urging its citizens not to travel to Japan.\n\nAnd like Mr Trump, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te congratulated her after her victory - and said he hoped her election would bring a prosperous future for Japan's partners.\n\nAt home, the 64-year-old has been popular with younger voters due to her straight-talking nature and social media presence.\n\nClips of her daily life and political activities are regularly shared to Japanese citizens.\n\nShe sparked a craze in Japan known as \"sanakatsu\", which roughly translated is \"Sanae-mania\".\n\nHer handbag and pink pen have both been in high demand with young Japanese people.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter **",
  "title": "Donald Trump pours praise on 'Japan's Margaret Thatcher' after PM wins landslide majority in election"
}