Tokyo, February 8: Voting for Japan’s general elections commenced on Sunday morning. A total of 1,284 candidates are contesting for 465 seats in the House of Representatives, the lower house of Parliament.
According to Xinhua News Agency, the key issue in this election is whether the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party can secure a majority, allowing Prime Minister Sanae Takaiichi’s government to continue.
Polling stations across the country will close at 8 PM local time, with vote counting expected to continue late into the night.
Recent surveys from major Japanese media outlets suggest that the ruling coalition is likely to achieve a majority. However, a Kyodo News survey indicates that the newly formed opposition party, the Centrist Reform Alliance, created by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the LDP’s former ally Komeito, appears to be losing ground compared to earlier predictions.
Despite these estimates, surveys show that a significant number of voters remain undecided, leaving room for potential changes in the election results. Additionally, scandals linked to the LDP are contributing to the uncertainty surrounding the elections.
Prime Minister Takaiichi unexpectedly dissolved the lower house on January 23, calling for early elections. This marks the first time in 60 years that the house has been dissolved at the start of a regular parliamentary session. She has stated that she will resign if the coalition fails to win a majority.
Her decision has faced criticism, with opponents arguing that she prioritized political interests over passing the budget for the fiscal year 2026, which begins in April, despite her promise to prioritize policy implementation.
This is the first time since 1990 that lower house elections are being held in February. Heavy snowfall in coastal areas of the Sea of Japan is causing transportation disruptions and raising concerns about voter safety, which could impact voter turnout.