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Overview
- Polling stations opened Sunday across more than 44,600 locations as Japan holds a snap election for all 465 seats in the Lower House.
- President Donald Trump declared full support for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and said he will host her at the White House on March 19.
- Japan confirmed the Washington visit while declining to comment on the U.S. president’s partisan endorsement, citing the trip as an opportunity to reaffirm the alliance.
- Pre‑election surveys indicate the Liberal Democratic Party and its Japan Innovation Party partner could approach 300 seats as Takaichi seeks a stronger conservative majority.
- Analysts view the endorsement as a signal to China following months of friction over Taiwan, with reports noting it came a day after a Trump–Xi call.