Japan General Election Voting Begins, PM Sanae Takaichi Eyes Big Victory

Last Updated:February 08, 2026, 11:45 IST

Sanae Takaichi leads LDP and Japan Innovation Party in snap elections, eyeing on a landslide win to push a conservative agenda amid scandals and far-right rise.

Polls opened on Sunday for parliamentary elections in Japan, where Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi seeks a decisive victory to advance her conservative political agenda.

Takaichi, Japan’s first female leader since October, enjoys significant popularity. However, her party, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has been marred by funding and religious scandals, hindering its performance despite having governed Japan for most of the past seven decades. By calling for these snap elections, Takaichi aims to reverse the party’s fortunes.

Her ambitious right-wing agenda focuses on bolstering Japan’s economy and military capabilities in response to rising tensions with China. Additionally, she aims to strengthen ties with the United States, led by the sometimes unpredictable President Donald Trump.

Takaichi’s “work, work, work" pledge and her blend of playful yet tough leadership have particularly resonated with younger voters.

Surveys suggest a potential landslide victory for the LDP in the lower house. The opposition, even with the formation of a new centrist alliance and the rise of the far-right, appears too fragmented to pose a significant threat.

Takaichi is optimistic that the LDP, in coalition with the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), will secure a majority in the 465-seat lower house, the more powerful chamber of Japan’s bicameral parliament. Recent polls from major Japanese newspapers indicate that the LDP could achieve a simple majority on its own, with the coalition possibly securing up to 300 seats—a significant increase from the thin majority held since the 2024 election loss.

Takaichi has stated she will step down if the LDP fails to win a majority. A strong victory for her coalition could lead to a major shift towards right-wing policies on security, immigration, and other areas, with JIP leader Hirofumi Yoshimura promising his party will act as an “accelerator."

Japan has witnessed a rise in far-right populism, exemplified by the nationalist Sanseito party, which has gained traction with its anti-globalist stance.

News world Japan General Election Voting Begins, PM Sanae Takaichi Eyes Big Victory

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