Overview
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will dissolve the House of Representatives on January 23, with official campaigning slated to start January 27 on a compressed schedule.
- Takaichi said she is staking her political future on the outcome and asked voters to decide whether she should remain prime minister.
- Her platform includes halting the 8% consumption tax on food for two years to ease pressure from rising living costs.
- The election will determine all 465 lower-house seats and serves as Takaichi’s first nationwide electoral test since taking office in October 2025.
- The ruling LDP now governs with Ishin after parting with Komeito, while opposition forces, including a CDP–Komeito alliance, are coordinating to challenge the fragile majority.