Japan heads to snap polls as PM Sanae Takaichi seeks majority; vows to quit if coalition falls short

Japan went to the polls in a rare February snap election as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sought a public mandate for her economic and security agenda, vowing to resign if her ruling coalition fails to secure a majority in the lower house.

Voting began across Japan on Sunday in a snap general election called by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who is seeking a fresh public mandate to advance her economic and security agenda with her new coalition partner, according to Kyodo News.

Takaichi, Japan’s first woman Prime Minister, is aiming to secure a majority in the 465-member House of Representatives for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)-led bloc, in alliance with the Japan Innovation Party. However, heavy snowfall across large parts of the country threatened to suppress voter turnout.

The Prime Minister, who assumed office in October last year, has said she would “immediately resign” if the ruling coalition fails to retain control of the powerful lower house.

Tight contest amid economic pressures

Nearly 1,300 candidates are contesting the election, with 289 seats decided in single-member constituencies and 176 seats allocated through proportional representation across 11 regional blocs.

With households struggling against rising living costs and persistent inflation, major political parties have campaigned on pledges to reduce tax burdens, particularly on food items. The ruling bloc has also focused heavily on strengthening Japan’s defence posture, citing a deteriorating regional security environment.

Under Takaichi’s leadership, the government has pushed for expanded military capabilities, even as the ruling camp entered the race with only a slim majority, supported by independents, before parliament was dissolved late last month.

Legislative hurdles remain

Even if the ruling coalition crosses the majority threshold in the lower house, it will still lack control of the upper chamber, meaning cooperation from opposition parties will remain essential for passing key legislation.

For the Centrist Reform Alliance, the main opposition bloc, the election marks its first major electoral test since its formation through a merger involving the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito. The alliance is seeking to counter criticism that it was created primarily for electoral convenience.

Media surveys have indicated a widening lead for the ruling bloc. Ahead of the election, the LDP held 198 seats, the Japan Innovation Party 34, and the Centrist Reform Alliance 167, Kyodo News reported.

February polls after 36 years

Japan is holding a February general election for the first time in 36 years, a decision that has drawn criticism due to harsh winter conditions complicating campaigning and voter participation.

The previous election in October 2024 proved a turning point, as the LDP under Takaichi’s predecessor lost its majority, ending a 26-year alliance with Komeito, which is backed by the Buddhist organisation Soka Gakkai.

Takaichi’s decision to call early polls has also been criticised for delaying passage of the fiscal 2026 budget, originally expected by the end of March ahead of the new financial year in April. Defending the move, she said she had yet to secure public backing for her “responsible yet aggressive” fiscal policy and the newly formed ruling coalition.

Key policy stakes

Foreign policy has emerged as a significant campaign issue, including Japan-China tensions, remarks related to a Taiwan contingency, and relations with the United States, Japan’s closest security ally. The government’s plans to ramp up defence spending are under close scrutiny.

To pursue its long-standing objective of constitutional revision, the LDP-led bloc would need at least 310 seats, a two-thirds majority, to initiate amendments ahead of a national referendum.

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