Editor’s Note
This analysis examines the political and economic implications of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s decisive electoral victory in 2026, which solidified her mandate to pursue an ambitious expansionary fiscal agenda known as “Sanaenomics.”
The Japanese political landscape underwent a seismic shift over the weekend of February 8–9, 2026, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s ruling coalition secured a resounding landslide victory in the national elections. The win provides Takaichi with a definitive mandate to enact “Sanaenomics,” an aggressive expansionary fiscal policy characterized by massive stimulus, strategic infrastructure investment, and a continued commitment to monetary easing. In the immediate wake of the results, precious metals markets saw a significant spike, with gold and silver prices climbing as investors sought a hedge against potential currency devaluation and long-term inflationary pressures.
However, the “safe-haven” narrative faced a sharp reversal during the Tuesday, February 10 trading session. As the Nikkei 225 surged to record highs, a wave of “risk-on” sentiment swept through global markets, pulling capital away from defensive assets like silver and gold and reallocating it into Japanese and global equities. While the election results initially signaled a fear-driven demand for hard assets, the sheer scale of the projected economic growth spurred by Takaichi’s ¥21.3 trillion stimulus plan has, for the moment, convinced traders that the “growth trade” outweighs the “inflation hedge.”
The weekend elections were viewed as a high-stakes referendum on the future of the Japanese economy. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who assumed leadership with a promise to revitalize Japan through “Abenomics 2.0,” won a two-thirds supermajority in the House of Councillors. This landslide effectively eliminates parliamentary friction, clearing the path for her “crisis management investment” strategy. The timeline leading up to this victory was marked by rising regional tensions and a persistent cost-of-living crisis, factors that Takaichi leveraged to justify a proactive, debt-funded fiscal stance.
On Monday, February 9, the initial market reaction was focused squarely on the inflationary risks of such a massive spending spree. Gold and silver prices jumped by over 2.5% in early Asian trading as the Japanese Yen (JPY) weakened toward the 160 mark against the dollar. The prospect of the Bank of Japan remaining dovish while the government injected trillions into the economy led many analysts to predict a prolonged bull run for precious metals, reminiscent of the 2011–2012 commodity peak.
However, the narrative shifted dramatically on Tuesday, February 10. As the Tokyo Stock Exchange opened, the Nikkei 225 exploded upward, gaining over 1,500 points in a single session. This rally was fueled by institutional investors betting on the direct beneficiaries of Takaichi’s domestic investment plan, particularly in the AI, semiconductor, and defense sectors. This surge in equity valuations triggered a “risk-on” rotation, causing gold and silver to give back most of their Monday gains as the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets became too high for momentum traders.
Among the primary beneficiaries of the “Takaichi Trade” are Japanese heavy industry and technology giants. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (TYO: 7011) saw its shares jump as the Prime Minister reaffirmed her commitment to doubling defense spending. Similarly, electronics and automotive leaders like Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) gained on the expectation of a sustained weak Yen, which enhances the competitiveness of Japanese exports in the global market.
The banking sector also experienced a complex reaction. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: MUFG) initially faced selling pressure due to the “lower-for-longer” monetary outlook associated with Takaichi’s platform. However, the prospect of rising long-term yields on Japanese Government Bonds (JGBs)—a byproduct of the massive new debt issuance—has led to a Tuesday afternoon rally in bank stocks, as investors anticipate improved net interest margins in the coming quarters.
Conversely, the precious metals mining sector has faced a volatile 48 hours. While companies like Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM) and Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE: GOLD) initially benefited from the gold price spike on Monday, their shares retreated on Tuesday as the equity mania in Tokyo dampened the global safe-haven bid. In the domestic Japanese market, Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. (TYO: 5713) remains a focal point; as a major producer of both gold and industrial metals like copper, its stock is caught between the downward pressure on precious metals and the rising demand for industrial commodities needed for Takaichi’s infrastructure projects.
The landslide victory of Sanae Takaichi represents a significant departure from the cautious fiscal policies of her predecessors. By opting for a “high-pressure economy,” Japan is effectively doubling down on the stimulus-driven model at a time when much of the Western world is still grappling with the tail-end of a high-interest-rate cycle. This puts Japan in a unique position where it is providing global liquidity via the “Yen Carry Trade,” a move that historically boosts global equities but can lead to extreme volatility if inflation begins to spiral out of control.
The broader significance for the precious metals market lies in the potential for “fiscal dominance”—a scenario where the Bank of Japan is forced to keep interest rates low to ensure the government can afford its debt, regardless of inflation levels. Historically, such conditions are the ultimate catalyst for a sustained bull market in gold and silver. However, the current “Tuesday Pivot” suggests that, for now, the market believes the growth generated by these investments will be “productive” rather than purely inflationary.