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From Our Own Correspondent

Japan's 'Iron Lady' Takaichi wins landslide victory

From Our Own Correspondent

BBC

News, News Commentary

4.41.3K Ratings

🗓️ 16 February 2026

⏱️ 28 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Kate Adie introduces stories from Japan, Saudi Arabia, Uganda, Poland and Pakistan.

A snap election has given Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi the strongest majority for a Japanese government in more than 70 years, thanks to a growing fan-base among young voters. Shaimaa Khalil reports from Tokyo on growing cult around the country's first woman leader.

The visit by the Prince of Wales to Saudi Arabia was among the most diplomatically sensitive of his official trips to date. While the focus was energy transition and improving prospects for young people, questions lingered over Saudi human rights, and controversies back home in the UK. Daniela Relph followed Prince William’s visit.

Uganda has been feeling the bite of international aid cuts, imposed by the likes of the UK, the EU, and notably by President Trump. The closure of the USAID agency has disrupted an array of relief projects, including those providing treatment for HIV-AIDS. Bel Trew met some of the people directly affected.

An art exhibition in the Polish city of Gdansk has ignited a row over the country’s role in World War Two. John Kampfner went to see the exhibit for himself and reflects on the country's fractious culture war.

And the skies above Lahore in Pakistan have been filled with thousands of kites, as the festival of Basant returned. It’s the first time in two decades the celebrations have been allowed to go ahead - following a surprising spate of deaths. Caroline Davies joined generations of Lahoris in the celebrations.

Producer: Serena Tarling Production coordinators: Katie Morrison and Sophie Hill Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Hello. Today we're in Riyadh,

0:08.1

where the Saudi Crown Prince rolled out the red carpet for Prince William, while the Epstein

0:13.4

scandal rumbles on. In Uganda, we hear how cuts to international aid are having life-threatening

0:19.9

consequences for people living with HIV.

0:23.4

In Poland, a World War II exhibit in Gdansk is proving the latest flashpoint in the country's testy culture wars.

0:31.5

And finally, we're partying on the roofs of Lahore in Pakistan as a much-loved kite-flying festival makes its long-awaited

0:39.3

return. But first, Japan's Conservative Prime Minister, Sanai Takayichi, stormed to victory in

0:46.2

snap elections held last weekend. After only coming to power in October, she bet on an early

0:52.5

vote to strengthen her mandate, and won by a landslide.

0:56.7

Her Liberal Democratic Party became the first to win a two-thirds majority in the lower house.

1:02.4

The resounding win will help push through her pro-business policies in a bid to revive Japan's

1:08.4

moribund economy. And she hopes to revive long-dormant goals,

1:13.2

like revising Japan's pacifist constitution.

1:16.9

Shama Khalil reports from Tokyo.

1:19.9

I'm a big handback fan.

1:21.8

It's the first thing I notice in an outfit.

1:24.0

My Pinterest boards, Instagram saves,

1:26.1

and not very wise shopping sprees will attest to that.

1:28.9

So when I clocked Sunaa Takiichi's black, grace-delight tote by Hamano, I thought,

1:33.8

yes, practical, no nonsense, and in that very Japanese way, elegant, understated, and beautifully made.

1:40.8

I admired it, but I didn't rush to look it up. And boy, did I miss a trick.

1:45.9

Japan's first female prime minister has single-handedly turned a sensible domestic leather toad

...

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