On Sunday, February 8, 2026, Japan held a snap general election for all 465 seats in the House of Representatives, called abruptly by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi just three months into her tenure. The vote — one of the few held during winter in Japan’s post-war history — came amid heavy snowfall that affected turnout and logistics nationwide.

Takaichi, who became Japan’s first female prime minister in October 2025, dissolved the lower house of parliament on January 23 to seek voter backing for her economic and security agenda after her party lost its majority in previous elections.

Key issues dominating the campaign included rising cost of living, economic stagnation, and debates over defence and immigration policy, with Takaichi pushing for bold reforms.

Decisive Victory for the Ruling Coalition

Exit polls and early projections indicate a dramatic outcome:

• Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is projected to win well over the 233-seat majority threshold on its own, with some estimates suggesting 256 seats, and the ruling LDP–Japan Innovation Party (JIP) coalition could command up to 364 seats in the 465-member chamber.
  
  

• NHK exit polling shows the LDP alone securing at least 244 seats, surpassing the simple majority needed to control key legislative business.
  
  

• Projections from Japanese media and global outlets suggest the coalition might even secure a two-thirds super-majority, giving it strong control over parliamentary committees and agenda-setting powers.
  
  

This result represents a landslide turnaround for the LDP after recent electoral setbacks, and gives Takaichi a powerful mandate early in her premiership.

What the Win Means for Japan

Political analysts and commentators say the decisive result will allow Takaichi to pursue a controversial conservative agenda with less resistance from opposition parties, including:

• Economic measures such as targeted fiscal stimulus and temporary tax reforms to combat inflation.
  
  

• Enhanced military capabilities and potential revisions to Japan’s post-war pacifist constitution, aiming to expand defence policy amid regional tensions.
  
  

• Stricter immigration and national security measures, aligning with conservative constituencies but drawing criticism for potentially undermining civil liberties.
  
  

Takaichi’s leadership has also drawn international attention for its implications on relations with neighbouring powers such as China and longstanding security alignments, including ties with the United States.

Voter Turnout and Weather Challenges

The election was held under unusually severe winter conditions, with snowfall even in central Tokyo, which depressed turnout in some areas. Early turnout statistics indicated lower participation compared with previous elections at similar times of the day, reflecting the impact of weather on voter mobility.

Despite these challenges, the result appears to reflect broad public endorsement for Takaichi’s leadership and policy direction, particularly among younger and urban voters.

Political Context and Opposition Response

The election followed a period of political flux in Japan: the LDP lost its majority in a 2024 general election amid scandal and declining public confidence, prompting the formation of a new coalition with the Japan Innovation Party in late 2025.

Opposition parties, including centrist and liberal blocs, remain fragmented, a factor that helped the LDP consolidate its advantage in this vote. While Takaichi’s coalition is set to dominate the lower house, how this will influence upper house dynamics and legislative negotiations remains to be seen.

Sources: The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Financial Times, AP News