On January 23, 2026, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved Japan's House of Representatives, paving the way for a snap election on February 8. The move, the shortest campaign period in postwar history at 16 days, seeks public endorsement for her ruling coalition. Opposition parties have united to challenge on issues like economic policies and defense enhancements.
On the morning of January 23, 2026, Japan time, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet approved the dissolution of the House of Representatives. At 1 p.m., Speaker Fukushiro Nukaga read the dissolution rescript in a plenary session, making it official. This dissolution at the start of the ordinary Diet session is the first in 60 years and unusual for January.
Takaichi's administration launched in October 2025, leading a coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party (JIP). Komeito left the coalition after 26 years due to Takaichi's conservative, hawkish stance as the newly elected LDP president. In a Monday press conference, Takaichi set the coalition's goal at securing a majority of 233 seats in the 465-seat lower house and staked her premiership on the result. She seeks public confidence in policies like "responsible and proactive public finances" and bolstering defense capabilities.
The 16-day campaign, the shortest in postwar history, unfolds in mid-winter, with parties focusing on economic and fiscal issues. Pledges include measures against rising prices and reducing or abolishing the consumption tax. The government's budget for the next fiscal year will pass after the election, prompting plans for a provisional budget.
Opposition parties have formed the Centrist Reform Alliance (CRA) with the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito. CRA co-leader Yoshihiko Noda said in a street speech in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, on Friday morning: "This battle is a milestone toward political realignment. We will fight with thorough pacifism and people-first measures." The Democratic Party for the People opts out of the CRA to push for higher take-home pay, while Sanseito targets seat gains.
The lower house has 289 single-seat constituencies and 176 proportional representation seats. This is the first national election since October 2024 under then-Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and tests the new LDP-JIP coalition.
