Japan's New PM Takes Power Amid AI Boom & Crackdowns

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured a landslide victory in Sunday's general election, positioning her to reshape the country's economic and foreign policies, according to Time. Her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was projected to win as many as 328 of the 465 seats in the parliament's lower house, giving her a supermajority.

Takaichi's decision to call a snap election shortly after becoming Prime Minister proved successful. "I wanted the voters to give me a mandate because I advocated for responsible, proactive fiscal policy that would significantly shift economic and fiscal policy," Takaichi told public broadcaster NHK late Sunday, according to Time. This victory, fueled by her high approval ratings and nationalist policies, could lead to increased tensions and regional instability, according to Sky News.

The election results could significantly alter Japan's relationship with China and lead to deep economic reforms, Time reported. The news bulletin from February 8th, 2026, compiled from multiple sources, also covered a range of global events, including severe weather impacts in Spain and Portugal, political developments such as Trump's refusal to apologize and Zelenskyy's comments on a potential war end deadline, and various international incidents like an arrest in Dubai related to a Russian general's shooting, according to Euronews.

While Takaichi's political triumph dominated headlines, other significant events were unfolding globally. The 2026 Winter Olympics were underway, with Austrian snowboarder Benjamin Karl celebrating his second consecutive Olympic gold medal in the men's parallel giant slalom, according to Fox News. Meanwhile, Lindsey Vonn's return to the Olympics ended abruptly with a crash in her downhill race, resulting in a broken leg, according to Sky News.