Lower House Dissolution Triggers High-Stakes Winter Election

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the Lower House on January 23, setting the stage for an unusually short and midwinter general election.

The chamber was disbanded shortly after 1 PM during a plenary session, and the extraordinary Cabinet meeting later set the election schedule. The campaign begins January 27, with voting expected on February 8.

The 16-day period from dissolution to election day is the shortest in the nation's postwar history. A Lower House dissolution on the opening day of a regular Diet session has not occurred since 1966, under Prime Minister Eisaku Sato.

Stakes of Election

This election carries major implications for Japan's future. In October 2025, a 26-year ruling partnership between the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito collapsed. Prime Minister Takaichi subsequently formed a new coalition with the Ishin no Kai.

On the opposition side, the Constitutional Democratic Party and Komeito lawmakers joined forces to create a new Lower-House-only party, the Centrist Reform Alliance.

The political landscape has shifted sharply since the July Upper House election, heightening the stakes of the vote.

*Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announces the dissolution of the lower house at a press conference at the Prime Minister's Office on the afternoon of January 19. (©Sankei by Ataru Haruna)*

Takaichi has said the election will test public support for her coalition framework with the Ishin no Kai. She is also seeking voter approval for a key policy pledge to exempt food and beverages from the consumption tax for two years.

On the other hand, the Centrist Reform Alliance is campaigning under the slogan "Putting People First." It's calling for a permanent elimination of the consumption tax on food.

Major campaign issues include the duration of any tax cut and how it would be financed. Other topics of public interest are political funding scandals, foreign resident policies, and allowing married couples to keep separate surnames.

Midwinter Election Strains

The tight winter schedule presents challenges for local governments overseeing the vote. Election offices across the country are rushing to print ballots and secure polling stations, including locations for early voting.

A January dissolution has occurred only twice before, in 1955 and 1990. Heavy snowfall poses particular risks in regions such as Hokkaido, Tohoku, and Hokuriku. Snow could bury campaign poster boards or delay ballot transportation.

*A hard-fought election campaign is expected in the upcoming election amid snowy conditions. Photo taken during a campaign in Kyoto Prefecture in 2012.*

In response, the Internal Affairs Ministry has set up a special snowfall response team within its election bureau. Internal Affairs Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said the government will "assess challenges, develop countermeasures, and support emergency coordination in affected regions."

Officials are urging voters to use the early voting option where possible.

The coming election will decide all 465 seats in the Lower House. That includes 289 single-member districts and 176 proportional representation seats. Takaichi has set a simple benchmark: the ruling coalition must retain a majority of 233 seats.

The Japanese prime minister has said her political future is on the line during her press conference.