Japan’s PM Takaichi Backs Away From Resignation Pledge Ahead of Snap Election

Overview

• Speaking in Fukushima, Sanae Takaichi asked voters to let her “continue to work,” softening an earlier vow to resign if the LDP and the Japan Innovation Party fail to secure a majority.
• The official campaign began on January 27 for the February 8 vote to fill all 465 lower house seats.
• Roughly 1,200 candidates are competing for 289 single-member districts and 176 proportional representation seats.
• The ruling bloc currently holds a bare majority of 233 seats through its alliance between the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party.
• The main challenger is the newly formed Union of Centrist Reforms created by the Constitutional Democratic Party and Komeito, with polls showing government approval near 60–70% and LDP support around 40%.