Voting commenced in Japan’s general election with 1,284 candidates contesting for 465 seats in the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament. The focus lies on whether the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party will maintain power under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s leadership.
Polling stations will close at 8 p.m. local time, with ballot counting expected to extend late into the night. The lower house comprises 289 seats elected from single-member districts and 176 through proportional representation in 11 regional blocs.
Recent polls indicate that the ruling coalition is likely to secure a majority, while the newly formed opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, led by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito, seems to be losing ground. However, undecided voters and ongoing uncertainties, including LDP’s slush fund scandals, could influence the final outcome.
Prime Minister Takaichi’s decision to dissolve the lower house for a snap election has drawn criticism for potentially disrupting the enactment of the initial budget for fiscal 2026. This election, the first lower house poll in February since 1990, faces challenges due to heavy snowfall along the Sea of Japan coast, raising concerns about voter turnout and safety.
