Extraordinary elections, held on February 8, are taking place against the backdrop of Takaiichi's desire to secure a new mandate to implement her program. This program includes plans to increase defense spending and tighten immigration policy.
All 465 seats in the House will be contested in this election. According to Japanese broadcaster NHK World, more than 1,200 candidates are listed on the ballots, and the total number of registered voters in Japan is approximately 105 million.
Among the participating parties are the Liberal Democratic Party, the new centrist reform alliance, the Japan Innovation Party, the People's Democratic Party, the Communist Party, and the Conservative Party of Japan.
Analysts predict success for local national conservatives led by newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaiichi.
Voters will choose deputies in 289 single-member districts, while the results in the remaining districts will be determined by a proportional voting system. Voting is scheduled to conclude at 8:00 PM local time, after which television channels will present forecasts based on exit polls.
