The other day, Japan’s political landscape shifted in a big way. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) scored a landslide victory in the snap lower house election, winning a supermajority of seats far above what’s needed to control the chamber.

But what does this mean for foreign professionals living and working in Japan? Is this political stability good news or a sign of tougher times ahead?

In this edition, we’ll break down what the election result actually implies for immigration, hiring trends, long-term opportunities and spotlight a Japan-based company worth knowing about.

Japan’s labor shortage remains real, and employers continue to bring in foreign talent to fill roles no one else can easily staff.

Here are some numbers that show the scale of this challenge:

Despite this, securing a long-term, stable visa still requires alignment with employer priorities. Companies are much more likely to sponsor visas when they can clearly demonstrate that the role is essential and hard to fill locally, especially for mid- and long-term employment.

What’s less common is sponsorship for roles without a clear pathway to permanence. This is why understanding hiring trends and employer expectations is still crucial, even in a tight labor market.

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With the election result reinforcing a conservative agenda, interview dynamics may subtly shift, especially when it comes to questions about your long-term plans in Japan.

Instead of focusing only on skills or job fit, Japanese interviewers might place extra emphasis on:

This aligns with the broader political discourse around integration and “harmonious coexistence” between foreigners and Japanese society. According to several international reports, Prime Minister Takaichi advocated during her campaign for policies that emphasize national cohesion and norms around legal compliance for foreigners.

Practical interview tip: when asked about your future in Japan, consider emphasizing:

This can help reassure employers in the current climate.

This free newsletter is for understanding how hiring and work in Japan actually function. The paid editions are for people who want to act on that information.

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Despite the election results pushing a strong conservative wave, Japanese companies are unlikely to reverse their hiring of foreign professionals, as long as they help solve labor gaps.

In fact:

What may shift is the weight given to attributes that signal long-term alignment: reliability, language ability, and cultural fit. Japanese firms have historically been cautious, but in a highly competitive labor market they still need people who can stay and grow with the company rather than rotate in and out.

Japan’s February 8, 2026 general election resulted in a historic majority for the Liberal Democratic Party, which now controls more than two-thirds of the 465-seat House of Representatives.

This outcome gives Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (Japan’s first female prime minister) a strong mandate to pursue her policy priorities more aggressively.

Key points emerging from the election:

For foreign professionals, this means two things:

The broader picture is one where Japan still needs foreign workers, but is increasingly focused on how they integrate and contribute to society over the long term, not just how they fill job openings.

Kraken Technologies Japan is the Japanese subsidiary of a global energy technology platform that focuses on digital transformation in utilities and energy services.

Here’s what makes Kraken a noteworthy company for foreign professionals:

For professionals looking for a Japan role that combines global tech sensibilities with real impact, Kraken is a good example of how international and Japanese work culture can intersect.

If your goal is to actually start applying (or apply more efficiently), Japan Job List is the most practical next step.

It’s a weekly list of roles that are already filtered for international candidates, so you’re not guessing which jobs are realistic.

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If you prefer market context and longer-term strategy, Japan Work Report is the analysis-focused edition I write alongside it.

Some readers prefer starting with a one-time resource instead of a subscription. If that’s you, the Japan Job Search Toolkit is a $10 reference covering resumes, applications, interviews, and visas in one place.