Takaichi's Landslide Victory Raises Concerns About Japan's Shift Toward Militarism

The author examines how the Japanese public's desire for revenge, racism, and manipulation of public opinion led to the rise of right-wing forces in the recent election.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The author discusses how the recent Japanese House of Representatives election, which saw a landslide victory for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's right-wing party, is reminiscent of the rise of fascist forces through elections in the past. The author draws parallels between the current situation in Japan and the historical examples of the Nazi Party's rise to power in Germany, as well as the more recent election of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The author argues that elections are ultimately a procedure that can be exploited and that public opinion can be shaped, leading to the resurgence of fascist and militaristic ideologies, even in modern times.

Why it matters

The author's analysis suggests that the electoral victory of Takaichi's party in Japan is part of a broader trend of the resurgence of fascist and militaristic ideologies in various parts of the world, driven by factors such as economic and social problems, manipulation of public opinion, and the failure to fully address the social foundations of these ideologies in the aftermath of World War II. This raises concerns about the potential implications for Japan's domestic and foreign policies, as well as the broader global implications of the spread of such ideologies.

The details

The author draws on their experience teaching a World War II history course at the University of Pittsburgh, where they encountered American students who had difficulty accepting the idea that the Nazi Party was able to come to power through elections. The author argues that similar dynamics are at play in the current situation in Japan, where the right-wing ruling party has been able to consolidate its power through the electoral process, despite concerns about the manipulation of public opinion and the potential for a shift toward militarism.

  • The Japanese House of Representatives election took place on February 9, 2026.
  • The author's doctoral dissertation on the topic of fascism and its social foundations was previously published.

The players

Sanae Takaichi

The current Prime Minister of Japan and the leader of the right-wing ruling party that won the recent election.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, whose election victory the author sees as another example of the resurgence of fascist and militaristic ideologies.

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What they’re saying

“Believing that those elected necessarily represent the will of the people and possess legitimacy to rule is the same as believing that someone has the blood of a true dragon and therefore deserves the mandate of heaven to become emperor; both are essentially stories and theology.”

— The author (substack.com)

“When someone like Sanae Takaichi achieves a landslide victory in an election, you can interpret it however you like. Yes, you can argue that the Japanese public has been misled and manipulated, and that the opinion doesn't represent true public sentiment—that's reasonable, because public opinion is ultimately not something they can control. But you can also argue that most Japanese people are fanatical militarists—that's also fine, because years of propaganda and education have deeply ingrained this mindset, and you can't expect the Japanese to suddenly become normal.”

— The author (substack.com)

What’s next

The author suggests that the resurgence of fascist and militaristic ideologies in Japan and other parts of the world is a concerning trend that requires further examination and action to address the underlying social and political factors that have allowed these ideologies to persist and spread.

The takeaway

The author's analysis highlights the fragility of democratic institutions and the ease with which public opinion can be manipulated, leading to the rise of authoritarian and militaristic regimes, even in modern times. This raises important questions about the role of education, media, and social institutions in shaping public opinion and the need for vigilance in protecting democratic values and processes.