Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced at a press conference on January 19 that the House of Representatives will be dissolved on January 23, with the election voting scheduled for February 8. According to Huanqiu, citing the Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun, Takaichi stated that she is betting her own political career on this election. If the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party does not secure a majority of seats, she will resign as Prime Minister.
Takaichi said, "If the LDP and Japan Innovation Party gain a majority of seats, I will remain Prime Minister, but if they do not, the Prime Minister will be Noda Yoshihiko, Saitō Tetsuo, or someone else." She referred to the leaders of the Constitutional Democratic Party and Komeito, respectively. Yoshihiko and Tetsuo had previously announced that the two parties would jointly form a new party called the "Centrist Reform Alliance," with both serving as co-leaders.
Reports indicate that the Japanese House of Representatives has a total of 465 seats, with a majority of 233. Currently, the LDP holds 196 seats and the Japan Innovation Party has 34, totaling 230. In the House of Representatives election held in October 2024, the ruling coalition formed by the LDP and Komeito secured a total of 215 seats, falling short of a majority, but then-Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba continued to govern. Following continued losses in LDP seats during the House of Councillors election in July 2025, Ishiba announced his resignation due to internal party pressure.
It is noteworthy that this House of Representatives election comes just over a year and three months after the last one, while the term for Japanese representatives should be four years. Takaichi's decision has sparked significant controversy in Japan. On the evening of Jan. 19, hundreds of Japanese citizens gathered in front of the second member hall of the House of Representatives to protest Takaichi's decision, arguing that her choice to dissolve the House at this time has created a "political vacuum" and negatively impacted the lives of the Japanese people.
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