Japan votes in snap election as PM Sanae Takaichi seeks mandate, vows to resign if coalition falls short | World News

Voting began Sunday across Japan for an early general election called by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who is seeking public authority to advance her economic and security agenda with her new coalition partner, according to Kyodo News.

While Takaichi aims to win a majority in the 465-member House of Representatives with his Japan Innovation Party, led by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, heavy snowfall in large parts of the country threatens to reduce voter turnout.

Japan’s first female prime minister, who took office last October, said she would “immediately resign” if the coalition failed to maintain control of the powerful lower house.

Approximately 1,300 candidates are participating in the election; 289 seats are determined in single-seat constituencies and 176 seats are determined through proportional representation in 11 regional blocs.

In an environment where households grapple with rising costs of living, major parties have campaigned on promises to ease tax burdens, while the ruling side has emphasized strengthening Japan’s defense posture in what it calls a deteriorating security environment.

Under Takaichi’s leadership, the government rallied support for boosting military capabilities before parliament was dissolved late last month, even though the ruling bloc ran with a tiny majority backed by independents, Kyodo News reported.

Even if the coalition scores a majority in the lower house, it is still out of control of the upper house, meaning cooperation from opposition parties will remain necessary to pass legislation.

For the main opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, the election represents the first major test after it was formed by the merger of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito; because the alliance aims to counter criticism that the alliance was established purely for electoral advantage.

Media polls show that the leadership of the ruling bloc is gradually increasing. Before the vote, the LDP had 198 seats, the Japan Innovation Party had 34, and the Centrist Reform Alliance had 167 seats, according to Kyodo News.

General elections are held in Japan in February for the first time in 36 years; This decision taken by Takaichi led to criticism as the severe winter conditions made the campaigns difficult.

The previous election in October 2024 was a turning point when Takaichi’s predecessor, the LDP, lost its majority with former coalition partner Komeito.

Takaichi’s call for early elections also sparked criticism that he was delaying the passage of the fiscal 2026 budget, which was initially expected to be held at the end of March before the April start of the fiscal year. He defended the move, saying Japan had not yet received public support for “major policy changes,” including its “responsible but aggressive” fiscal approach and the new ruling coalition formed in October.

The Centrist Reform Alliance is challenging the conservative bloc, hoping to attract voters upset with what it describes as Japan’s increasingly “right-leaning” political climate.

Komeito, backed by Soka Gakkai, Japan’s largest Buddhist organization, was allied with the LDP for 26 years before the partnership ended in October.

Nearly all parties have pledged to suspend or eliminate consumption taxes on food products to combat prolonged inflation, Kyodo News said, although funding sources and timelines remain controversial due to concerns about Japan’s fiscal health.

Foreign policy also emerged as a campaign issue; They included Takaichi’s discussion of tensions with China following his comments about an unexpected situation in Taiwan and relations with Japan’s closest security ally, the United States. The ruling bloc’s plans to increase defense spending are being closely scrutinized.

For the LDP to achieve its long-standing goal of constitutional change, it will need at least 310 seats (a two-thirds majority) to initiate changes ahead of a national referendum.