Japanese premier Sanae Takaichi won U.S. President Donald Trump's full endorsement on Friday (February 6, 2026), two days before snap elections that polls suggest may see her coalition romp home with a super-majority. Japan's first woman Prime Minister is hoping on Sunday (February 8
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi registered arguably his most sensational world record on Friday (February 6) with his scarcely believable 80-ball 175 for India Under-19 against England Under-19 in the 2026 Men's Under-19 World Cup final at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe
ZEE Samvaad with Real Heroes 2026: Sonu Sood strongly condemned the Ghaziabad minor sisters' suicide case. ZEE Samvaad with Real Heroes 2026: The fourth edition of the Zee Real Heroes Awards was held at Fairmont Mumbai. The event recognised and felicitated dignitaries for their immense contribution
Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has shared a clear warning about how fast AI is changing the world of coding by using a simple app as an example of what this shift really looks like. He was reacting to a post by Anish Moonka, founder of the 10 Minute Gita app
Netherlands opener Max O'Dowd is unconcerned by Pakistan's perceived pressure after their boycott against India, stating his team is focused on winning their T20 World Cup opener. O'Dowd emphasized the team's preparation for Pakistan's spinners and their confidence in playing their own style to
The Zee Real Heroes Awards honour individuals for their outstanding contributions across innovation, business, healthcare, entertainment and the arts. Mumbai: Actress Rakul Preet Singh, who won the Best Actress award at the fourth edition of the Zee Real Heroes Awards 2026
Analysts welcomed the pause on rate hikes and said they expect the RBI to maintain an extended pause, due to positive cyclical upswing and confidence from successful conclusion of multiple trade deals. New Delhi: The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) decision to keep the policy rate unchanged reflected
Crypto market enthusiasm fell after US President Donald Trump nominated Kevin Warsh as his choice for Federal Reserve chair, as investors felt a more hawkish Fed under Warsh would shrink the central bank balance sheet, removing liquidity that has supported risk assets, they said
Japan PM Sanae Takaichi wins Donald Trump’s full endorsement ahead of snap election
Japan PM Sanae Takaichi wins Donald Trump’s full endorsement ahead of snap election
Japanese premier Sanae Takaichi won U.S. President Donald Trump's full endorsement on Friday (February 6, 2026), two days before snap elections that polls suggest may see her coalition romp home with a super-majority.
Japan's first woman Prime Minister is hoping on Sunday (February 8, 2026) to capitalise on her strong popularity since taking the reins of Asia's number-two economy in October.
Ms. Takaichi “has already proven to be a strong, powerful, and wise Leader, and one that truly loves her Country,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social as he announced she would visit the United States on March 19.
The United States and Japan have been working to strike a “very substantial” deal on trade, as well as collaborating on national security, Trump said, offering his “Complete and Total Endorsement”.
“Prime Minister Takaichi is someone who deserves powerful recognition for the job she and her Coalition are doing,” he added.
While U.S. presidents have typically refrained from endorsing candidates in overseas elections, Mr. Trump has done so repeatedly, including throwing his backing behind Argentina's Javier Milei and Hungary's Viktor Orban.
Ms. Takaichi, 64, pulled out all the stops to welcome Trump to Japan days after she took office, endorsing the 79-year-old for the Nobel Peace Prize and gifting him golf memorabilia.
Trade officials in July reached a deal that saw Washington lower tariffs on Japanese goods to 15 percent from a threatened 25 percent in return for promises of investment.
Mr. Trump has not publicly weighed in on Ms. Takaichi's spat with China after she suggested in November that Japan would intervene militarily if China sought to take self-ruled Taiwan by force.
China has never ruled democratic Taiwan, but Beijing claims Taiwan and has not ruled out forcibly annexing it.
Pollsters — with some caution due to undecided voters — point to a resounding win in Sunday's (February 8) elections for Ms. Takaichi after her honeymoon start.
She appears to have injected new vim into a once-mighty but now moribund Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) after it was deserted en masse by voters in part because of inflation and a slush fund scandal.
Despite her ultraconservative policies, Ms. Takaichi also boasts overwhelming support among young people, in an ageing country where politics has long been determined by older voters.
“Her gamble (of calling elections) will pay handsome dividends as she will gain a strong mandate and probably a standalone majority that will help her enact an ambitious array of economic and security reforms,” said Jeff Kingston, professor of history and Asian studies at Temple University Japan.
“Trump will welcome the election of a conservative leader with a strong mandate... He likes winners and she has come through on boosting defence spending and supporting the investment deal to reduce tariffs,” Mr. Kingston told AFP.
Surveys ahead of Sunday's (February 8) lower house election indicate — with some caution due to undecided voters — that the LDP will easily win more than the 233 seats needed to regain a majority.
A smartphone-based survey of more than 220,000 people released by the Mainichi Shimbun daily on Friday (February 6, 2026) suggested that the LDP may win more than 300 seats out of 465 up for grabs.
Together with seats won by the LDP's coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), this could give Takaichi's ruling bloc a two-thirds majority, the Mainichi said.
The new Centrist Reform Alliance of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) and the LDP's previous partner Komeito could lose half their current 167 seats, other polls have shown.
Besides angering China, Ms. Takaichi has already rattled markets, with yields on long-dated Japanese government bonds hitting record highs and the yen seesawing.
This is due to worries about Japan's colossal debt pile — more than double the size of the economy — from Ms. Takaichi's $135-billion stimulus package and pledges to cut taxes.
Abhijit Surya at Capital Economics said, however, that he was not worried that Ms. Takaichi would be “fiscally profligate”.
“In the event that the government did attempt to play fast and loose with the public finances, we would expect bond markets to put it in check,” the economist said.
Published - February 06, 2026 09:02 am IST
Japan / USA / Donald Trump
Source: TheHindu
Related Posts: Trump speaks with Savannah Guthrie New York City joins UN health network after Trump withdrew US from WHO Mamata Banerjee advances enhanced payouts to women ahead of state election Prashant Kishor’s party moves SC challenging cash transfers ahead of Bihar polls Masterstroke by CM Mamata Banerjee ahead of Bengal polls as TMC government announces Rs 1500 per month to these people Trump Again Claims He Stopped India-Pakistan War From Going Nuclear While Pushing New Arms Treaty Trump claims again that he stopped war between India Trump issues stark warning to Iran's Ayatollah Trump's nuclear arms control push with Russia hinges on China US President Trump backs off over UK-Mauritius Diego Garcia island deal
Discover the best liquid blushes that blend effortlessly, add natural colour, and give your cheeks a healthy glow perfect for everyday makeup lovers and glam enthusiasts alike. A good blush can instantly lift your face, add freshness, and complete your makeup look in seconds. Liquid blushes
Just now
India's title defence in the women's team event came to a disappointing end after a 0-3 loss to a second-string China in the quarterfinals of the Badminton Asia Team Championships in Qingdao on Friday (February 6, 2026). India had won a historic gold medal in the previous edition in 2024
Just now
The Maharashtra minister said that it is very important to play the right role in the right country. He claimed that they do not belittle any other religion, but if anyone looks at their religion with ill intent, they are shown their place. On the stage of the Zee Real Heroes dialogue
Just now
Falling asleep shouldn't feel like a nightly battle. Yet for many, bedtime has become a cycle of tossing, scrolling, and staring at the ceiling. Long workdays, endless notifications, irregular meals, and chronic stress have quietly disrupted the body's natural sleep rhythm
Just now
The Rupee rose 11 paise to 90.23 against the U.S. dollar in early trade on Friday (February 6, 2026) on positive investor sentiments as traders keenly awaited the RBI's MPC announcement. However, FII outflows, rise in crude oil prices, and a marginally stronger greenback capped sharper gains in the
Just now
For most users, PhonePe remains a payments app. It is where bills are paid, QR codes are scanned, and money is moved between bank accounts at no visible cost.But this perception does not reflect the business PhonePe is taking to the market.As the Walmart-backed fintech prepares for a public listing
1 minutes ago
KOLKATA: Hundreds of ASHA volunteers on Friday took to the streets in Kolkata, dissatisfied with the Rs 1,000 hike in their honorarium announced in the West Bengal interim budget. The protesting Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) voluneers staged an impromptu sit-in outside the Swasthya
Just now
RCB's 204-run chase to secure a second WPL title was a historic, record-breaking one. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)'s six-wicket win over Delhi Capitals (DC) was special by a lot of yardsticks. They became only the second Women's Premier League (WPL) franchise to secure two titles
1 minutes ago
The festive season is synonymous with packed suitcases, crowded terminals, long drives, and late nights. But alongside the celebrations, eye clinics quietly brace for a predictable spike in patients. Redness, itching, watering, and gritty discomfort become common complaints which are often
Just now
YouTube is blocking ads and stopping you from watching videos in the background (on mobile) if you don't pay for its platform. These features are quite popular which is why the company decided that people should pay to use them. Most users have not been pleased with these forced tactics from
1 minutes ago
The Election Commission has revised the schedule for Uttar Pradesh's electoral rolls. The final voter list will now be published on April 10. This change follows a request from the state chief electoral officer and consideration of other factors
Just now
Team India begin their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with their opener against the USA on the 7th of February at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai as the Men in Blue look to defend the crown. The co-hosts, India, might be devoid of the services of pacer Harshit Rana for the showpiece due to joint
1 minutes ago
Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Friday (February 6, 2026) following unabated protests by opposition members over various issues. Friday was the second day when the House could not take up discussion on the Union Budget presented on February 1
Just now
A total of 6,998 Indian nationals have been rescued from cybercrime centres in Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos between 2022 and 2025, the Union government told Parliament on Thursday. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh was responding to a question by Trinamool Congress MP Saket
1 minutes ago
The alert advises US citizens to make plans to depart Iran without relying on US government assistance. Hours before crucial US-Iran nuclear negotiations are set to begin, the United States issued an urgent security directive urging all American citizens in Iran to evacuate immediately and warning
1 minutes ago
The Central bank proposes exempting NBFCs without public funds or customer interface and assets under Rs 1000 crore from registration. RBI MPC Meet 2026: The Central bank has proposed NBFCs (Non-Banking Financial Companies) having no public funds and customer interface
Just now
Amazon has announced plans to invest $200bn (£147.7bn) in artificial intelligence (AI) and infrastructure, becoming the latest US tech giant to set out a sharp rise in spending. It dwarfs the $125bn Amazon spent on AI last year, and appeared to rattle investors who sent the company's shares
1 minutes ago
A civil court in Maharashtra's Thane refused to dismiss a defamation complaint against Congress leader Digvijaya Singh for a social media post about former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief MS Golwalkar, Bar and Bench reported on Thursday. In July 2023
1 minutes ago
Many new cars and SUVs are set to launch in 2026. Car makers are lining up launches across segments. Several popular models are getting mid-life facelifts. Popular Cars & SUVs to Get Facelifts in 2026: Many new cars and SUVs are set to launch in 2026
1 minutes ago
KERALA LOTTERY RESULT Friday 06-02-2026 LIVE: Suvarna keralam SK-39 lottery is one of the 7 lucky draws held once in a week. The Kerala Lottery "Suvarna Keralam SK-39" lottery draw is conducted today on February 06. Every lottery has an alphanumeric code to identify it
Just now
Manoj Bajpayee addressed the ‘Ghooskhor Pandat' controversy after an FIR was filed, clarifying that the title was not intended to target any community. Mumbai: After filmmaker Neeraj Pandey, actor Manoj Bajpayee has also reacted to the ongoing controversy regarding the name of their
Just now
At least 15 people died and more than a dozen were wounded in an explosion targeting a mosque in Pakistan's Capital city Islamabad's Shehzad Town on Friday. At least 15 people have been killed and over a dozen injured following a blast outside a religious centre in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad
Just now
Spotify is going to rival Amazon and other platforms, not for its music catalogue but for selling physical books to buyers. Yes the streaming app will host physical books and let users buy it from the store. The sale of physical books is possible thanks to Spotify teaming up with online retailer
Just now
Vijaya Ekadashi 2026: Every year, the fast of Vijaya Ekadashi is observed on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) of the dark fortnight of the Phalguna month. On this day, worshipping Lord Vishnu with proper rituals and donating yellow items is considered auspicious. This brings happiness, peace
Just now
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Malaysia will highlight India's 'Mahasagar' vision and Indo-Pacific strategy. The trip aims to implement recent initiatives and boost cooperation in new strategic and economic sectors. Discussions will cover digital technologies, renewable energy
Just now
Railways are the heartline of Mumbai and are used by lakhs of commuters every single day, remaining the primary mode of travel across the city. From office-goers and students to small business owners, the suburban railway network keeps Mumbai moving. Now
Just now
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has called Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's statement about Congress MPs potentially threatening Prime Minister Narendra Modi 'laughable'. Raut asserted that the country is in danger due to the current government and claimed India has become a 'slave' due to an
1 minutes ago
