Tokyo, Japan. Japan’s ruling party, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, is projected to secure a decisive win in Sunday’s snap election, according to exit polls. Voters across the country cast ballots amid snow in the first mid-winter poll in 36 years.
Mandate sought after leadership change
Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, called the snap election four months after becoming leader of the Liberal Democrat Party (LDP) and sought a clear public mandate.
Her predicted success contrasts with her two predecessors, under whom the party lost its parliamentary majority amid corruption scandals and rising costs.
Coalition outlook and political stakes
An LDP-led coalition has governed Japan for much of its post-war history, which has been attributed to the lack of a strong opposition.
Takaichi has pledged to step down if her party fails to secure a majority, with some describing the snap election as a major gamble.
In 2024, the LDP lost its majority in both houses of parliament, and its decades-old coalition with the Komeito party collapsed. Takaichi’s personal popularity has appeared to bolster the party, with approval ratings for her government mostly above 70%.
According to a poll by broadcaster NHK, the LDP and its current coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, could win as many as 366 of the 465 seats in the House of Representatives.
Snow and transport disruption on election day
Japan’s transport ministry said 37 train lines and 58 ferry routes were closed and 54 flights were cancelled as of Sunday morning.
There was rare snowfall in Tokyo as people headed out to vote.
How did the weather and transport disruptions affect voting in your area?