TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Sunday congratulated Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae after her Liberal Democratic Party won a supermajority in the House of Representatives.

In a snap election on Sunday, the LDP won 316 seats, marking the first time a party has gained a two-thirds majority since World War II. The result will allow the LDP to override the House of Councillors, where it does not hold a majority, per the Financial Times.

In an X post, Lai said the election result “clearly demonstrates the Japanese electorate’s trust and high expectations in your leadership and vision.” It is an affirmation of the achievements of the ruling party and an endorsement of Takaichi’s efforts to advance the long-term development of the nation, he said.

The president said he looked forward to working with Takaichi “so that Taiwan and Japan can continue to face regional challenges together in the spirit of shared values and mutually beneficial cooperation.” He wished Japan continued development success and well-being for its people.

Takaichi has been a staunch supporter of Taiwan, even after becoming prime minister. In November, she warned that Chinese military actions against Taiwan, such as a naval blockade, could be a “situation threatening Japan’s survival.”

She stressed Tokyo’s responsibility to evacuate its citizens in such a scenario, adding, “We must be prepared for a worst-case scenario.”

Last month, the prime minister said on a TV Asahi program that if Japan did not back the US in a Taiwan emergency, it would undermine the security alliance between Tokyo and Washington. “If Japan did nothing and simply fled while the US military was being attacked, the Japan-US alliance would collapse," she said.

“In the event of an emergency, we would need to go and rescue Japanese and American citizens in Taiwan,” she said, adding that “We would make a comprehensive judgment of what is happening there and respond within the scope of current laws.”