Overview
- Official campaigning will start on Jan. 27 with voting on Feb. 8, creating the shortest lower-house campaign in the postwar era at 16 days after the Jan. 23 dissolution.
- Takaichi vowed to take responsibility if she fails to win a public mandate and set a goal of securing a ruling coalition majority that includes the Japan Innovation Party.
- The Constitutional Democratic Party and Komeito formed the Centrist Reform Alliance and unveiled election materials as they position the bloc as the main challenger.
- The Democratic Party for the People refused to join the new alliance, plans to field about 100 candidates, and warned it may not promise support for the fiscal 2026 budget after the dissolution.
- The LDP is rushing to finalize campaign pledges this week and postponed its party convention to April 12 to focus on the accelerated contest.