By Tim Kelly TOKYO, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s thumping election win has blunted domestic opposition to her hawkish security agenda, encouraging plans to press ahead with a defence expansion that China has condemned as a return to militarism.

Heavy snowfall in Japan forced some polling places to close early, fueling concerns about the impact to voter turnout, reported The New York Times. Yoshihiko Noda, a leader of the CRA, raised concerns about peoples' ability to vote, warning that "not being able to do so is a denial of democracy."

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi won a sweeping mandate from voters for her economic agenda and tough stances on immigration and China.

T AKAICHI SANAE gambled her position as Japan’s prime minister by calling a snap election. Her bet has paid off. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) triumphed on February

Japan's Sanae Takaichi and her ruling Liberal Democratic Party overwhelmingly found the support of voters in a Sunday election, sweeping a supermajority.

By Leika Kihara and John Geddie TOKYO, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is set to be pressed on her promised tax cuts and spending plans on Monday after a historic election win was seen heightening the chances of her delivering on stimulus measures that have rattled financial markets.

Sanae Takaichi, who has proved popular as the first woman to lead Japan as prime minister, was on course for a sweeping mandate after a snap election on Sunday.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's call for a snap election had rattled markets and triggered a sharp selloff in Japanese government bonds.