Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s party was set to secure a big majority in Japan’s lower house in an election yesterday, public broadcaster NHK forecast, based on exit polls.

Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party is set to win 274 to 328 of the 465 seats in the chamber, well above the 233 needed for a majority, according to NHK.

Together with coalition partner the Japan Innovation Party, known as Ishin, she could control up to 366 of the seats.

Japan’s first female prime minister, 64, called the rare winter snap election to capitalise on her buoyant personal approval ratings since she was elevated to lead the ruling LDP late last year.

Voters have been drawn to her straight-talking, hardworking image, but her nationalistic leanings and emphasis on security have strained ties with powerful neighbour China, while her promises of tax cuts have rattled financial markets.

Residents trudged through snow to cast their ballots with record snowfall in parts of the country snarling traffic and requiring some polling stations to close early.