Overview
- Official campaigning began Tuesday for the Feb. 8 lower-house election after a rare snap dissolution that set a 12-day sprint to voting day.
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she will resign if the LDP–JIP ruling bloc fails to win a majority, as the coalition targets at least 233 of 465 seats.
- Rivals clashed over suspending the consumption tax on food, with Takaichi backing a two-year exemption tied to a reform council and CRA co-leader Yoshihiko Noda pressing for a zero rate by autumn with identified funding sources.
- Surveys show the LDP ahead in proportional voting intention (Yomiuri 36%; Kyodo 29.2%) as the Centrist Reform Alliance polls in the high single digits, and recent polls record a dip in cabinet approval to 67% (Nikkei) and 57% (Mainichi) while Yomiuri shows 69%.
- A total of 1,285 candidates are running, and women account for a record 24% overall, though only 12.8% of LDP candidates are women, according to media tallies.