Japan votes today as PM Takaichi risks her fate in snap election

Voting began across Japan on Sunday in a high-stakes general election that will decide whether Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s ruling coalition retains its majority—and with it, her own political future.

A total of 1,284 candidates are competing for 465 seats in the powerful lower house of parliament, the House of Representatives. Polls suggest the ruling alliance of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party is likely to keep its majority, although lingering slush fund scandals and a still-undecided voter bloc could sway outcomes in tight races.

Takaichi abruptly dissolved the lower house on January 23 for a snap poll—the first such dissolution at the start of a regular parliamentary session in 60 years—and has vowed to resign if her coalition loses its majority. Her decision has drawn criticism for delaying passage of the initial budget for fiscal 2026, despite earlier pledges to prioritise policy implementation.

The newly formed opposition bloc, the Centrist Reform Alliance—made up of the Constitutional Democratic Party and former LDP ally Komeito—has so far struggled to gain traction, according to recent surveys.

Voting stations will close at 8 p.m. local time, with results expected late into the night. Authorities have raised concerns that heavy snowfall along the Sea of Japan coast could disrupt travel and depress turnout in what is Japan’s first February lower house election since 1990.