Observers note that the elections are proceeding without serious violations or incidents. However, record snowfall has been recorded in the northern part of the country before the elections, which may complicate the voting and vote-counting process in some regions.
According to pre-election polls, the coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party, led by Sanae Takaiti, and the "Japan Renewal Society" could secure up to 300 out of 465 seats in parliament. The liberals may also achieve an outright majority, which would be a significant accomplishment for them following their failure in the 2024 parliamentary elections.
Despite the formation of a new centrist alliance and the rising popularity of the far-right, the Japanese opposition remains too divided to pose a real threat to the ruling coalition of conservatives, as noted by the Associated Press.
It is important to emphasize that Sanae Takaiti became Prime Minister in the fall of 2025 after parliamentary voting, rather than through general elections, after Shigeru Ishiba left his post early.
Now, seeking public approval, she has promised to implement a more active defense policy, as well as to increase government spending and investments to stimulate economic growth, boost tax revenues, and stabilize the budget.
