Japan PM Takaichi’s Cabinet Resigns en Masse

Lead

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet submitted its collective resignation on the morning of Feb. 18, 2026, triggering a formal leadership vote in the Diet later the same day. Takaichi, who became Japan’s first female prime minister in October 2025, heads the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which after the Feb. 8 House of Representatives election holds more than two-thirds of the 465 Lower House seats. Following Komeito’s decision to leave the governing camp, the LDP has struck a coalition understanding with the Japan Innovation Party. The resignation is a procedural step that precedes a special Diet session, where Takaichi is widely expected to be reelected as prime minister.

Key Takeaways

• Cabinet resignation: The entire cabinet resigned on Feb. 18, 2026, beginning formal procedures for a Diet-led leadership vote the same day.
• First female PM: Sanae Takaichi, first appointed in October 2025, remains prime minister and LDP leader amid the transition.
• Post-election majority: The LDP secured over two-thirds of the 465 Lower House seats in the Feb. 8, 2026 election, consolidating legislative control.
• Coalition shift: Komeito left the ruling coalition; the LDP formed a new partnership with the Japan Innovation Party ahead of the special Diet session.
• Special Diet session: The Diet opened a special session on Feb. 18, 2026, scheduled to run 150 days, concluding on July 17, 2026.
• Expected outcome: Parliamentary procedures include separate prime ministerial ballots in both Diet chambers, with Takaichi expected to secure reelection.

Background

The resignation of a cabinet en masse is a constitutional and parliamentary convention in Japan used to mark the end of a cabinet’s formal term and to trigger a new selection process for prime minister in the Diet. Sanae Takaichi rose to the premiership in October 2025, becoming the country’s first woman to hold the office, after intra-party contests within the Liberal Democratic Party. That leadership change set the stage for the LDP to contest the Feb. 8, 2026 House of Representatives election from a new leadership platform.

In the run-up to the election, coalition dynamics shifted: Komeito, a long-standing LDP partner, opted to leave the governing alignment. To maintain governing capacity in the Lower House, the LDP negotiated a partnership with the Japan Innovation Party. These moves were aimed at preserving a stable legislative majority to pursue policy priorities after the electoral outcome.

Main Event

On the morning of Feb. 18, 2026, government officials formally submitted the cabinet’s resignation to the Emperor and the Diet, a routine step before the convening of a special Diet session. The Diet’s special session opened later that day and was set to run for 150 days, until July 17, 2026, to handle leadership elections and other legislative business. Under Diet rules, both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors will vote separately for prime minister, with the Lower House result generally decisive when chambers diverge.

The Feb. 8 Lower House election left the LDP with a substantial supermajority—described in reports as “over two-thirds” of the chamber’s 465 seats—giving the party a strong hand in parliamentary votes. With that margin, the LDP moved quickly to formalize support for Takaichi’s continuation as prime minister, while also coordinating with the Japan Innovation Party to secure coalition backing after Komeito’s exit.

Officials signaled that the resignation did not reflect a withdrawal of political support for Takaichi; rather, it was described as the constitutional procedure that permits lawmakers to register their confidence (or lack of it) through a new vote. Parliamentary observers noted the swift timetable: resignation in the morning, special session opening the same day, and the prime ministerial vote to follow.

Analysis & Implications

Domestic governance: With the LDP holding a supermajority in the Lower House following the Feb. 8 election, the party gains legislative ease in passing ordinary legislation and in selecting the cabinet leadership. That concentration of seats reduces the likelihood of opposition blocks blocking routine government measures in the near term. However, the loss of Komeito as a formal coalition partner could narrow the governing coalition’s policy bandwidth on certain social and budgetary issues where Komeito historically influenced compromise positions.

Coalition dynamics: The LDP’s outreach to the Japan Innovation Party is a strategic response to Komeito’s departure. While the Innovation Party can provide numerical support, its policy priorities differ from Komeito’s centrist stance, which may produce friction on social spending, defense, and administrative reform. The durability of this new partnership will shape legislative outcomes across the 150-day special session and beyond.

Policy outlook and international impact: A secure LDP majority and Takaichi’s likely reelection suggest policy continuity on core items such as economic management and security posture. Internationally, Japan’s partners—particularly in Asia and among advanced democracies—will monitor whether the new coalition affects Tokyo’s foreign policy priorities, defense planning, and commitments to regional cooperation initiatives.

Comparison & Data

The table above places the LDP’s post-election position in context: with more than two-thirds of 465 seats, the party surpasses the two-thirds threshold (310 seats), which affects certain legislative procedures and constitutional amendment discussions. While exact seat counts beyond “over two-thirds” were reported in initial coverage, the qualitative implication is a dominant Lower House majority.

Reactions & Quotes

The government announced the cabinet resignation as the procedural beginning of the Diet’s leadership vote.

Official government notice (reported)

The LDP leadership indicated it would move to secure continuity in government through the Diet vote scheduled for the special session.

Liberal Democratic Party spokesperson (reported)

Public and expert reactions were measured: political commentators underscored that the resignation is routine but highlighted the unusual coalition realignment after Komeito’s departure. Observers also emphasized that the Feb. 8 election results give the LDP strong control over the Lower House agenda.

Unconfirmed

• Precise seat tally for the LDP beyond the description “over two-thirds” has not been specified here; detailed official counts were reported elsewhere.
• The internal terms of the LDP–Japan Innovation Party partnership (policy concessions, ministerial allocations) were not publicly disclosed at the time of reporting.

Bottom Line

The Feb. 18, 2026 collective resignation of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet is a constitutional and parliamentary formality that ushers in a Diet vote for prime minister during a special session running through July 17. Given the LDP’s commanding post-election majority and its new alignment with the Japan Innovation Party, Takaichi is widely expected to be reelected and to form a continuing government.

Nonetheless, the departure of Komeito and the need to coordinate with a different partner introduces potential policy trade-offs and political risks that will shape governance over the coming months. Observers should watch the formal coalition terms, Diet voting patterns, and early legislative items during the 150-day session for signs of durability or strain in the new ruling arrangement.

Sources

• The Japan News / Yomiuri Shimbun (national newspaper, news report)
• Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) official website (official party site)