Japan held snap elections Sunday under heavy snowfall, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aiming to convert her honeymoon period in office into a decisive victory that could unsettle China and financial markets.
Opinion polls indicate that Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has governed almost continuously for decades, is likely to win well over the 233 seats needed for a majority in the 465-member lower house. Her coalition could even secure the 310 seats required for a two-thirds supermajority, the best result for the LDP since 2017 under the late Shinzo Abe, Takaichi’s mentor.
Snow blanketed much of the country, including Tokyo and regions that rarely see winter weather. “I think it’s important to come, so that we can properly take part in politics as well,” said a 50-year-old voter surnamed Kondo near a Tokyo polling station. A man in his 70s in Aomori added, “I struggled to find a way to the ballot box as snow was accumulating, and the road conditions were terrible. I wish the election were held in a snowless season.”
As of 2:00 pm (0500 GMT), voter turnout stood at 16.05 percent, down 3.07 points from the last lower house election in 2024. Pollsters urged caution due to undecided voters and the wintry weather.
Takaichi, who became LDP leader in October, has defied expectations. A former heavy metal drummer and admirer of Britain’s “Iron Lady” Margaret Thatcher, she is on the ultra-conservative fringe of the party but has captured young voters’ attention, from her handbags to a viral video of her jamming to a K-pop song with South Korea’s president.
Economic concerns and public debt
Despite her popularity, Takaichi faces scrutiny over Japan’s public finances. She launched a $135-billion stimulus package to ease inflationary pressures and has promised to suspend the consumption tax on food, amid rising household costs. Japan’s debt exceeds twice the size of its economy, and bond yields have recently hit record highs, with the yen fluctuating sharply.
Chika Sakamoto, 50, said she voted to see whether Takaichi’s expansionary fiscal policies could relieve the strain of rising prices. “I don’t know whether that will actually lead us in a better direction, but I wanted to see what would happen,” she told AFP.
Foreign policy and China tensions
Barely two weeks in office, Takaichi — previously regarded as a China hawk — suggested Japan might intervene militarily if Beijing attempted to seize self-ruled Taiwan. China condemned her remarks, summoning Tokyo’s ambassador, warning its citizens against visiting Japan, conducting joint air drills with Russia, and even recalling Japan’s last two pandas.
Takaichi had recently hosted US President Donald Trump, who called her a “strong, powerful, and wise leader” and endorsed her leadership. Margarita Estevez-Abe, associate professor of political science at Syracuse University, said the China episode boosted Takaichi’s popularity. “Now she doesn’t have to worry about any elections until 2028, when the next upper house elections take place,” she noted.
Polling stations are scheduled to close at 8:00 pm (1100 GMT), with partial results and media projections expected shortly afterward.
