Japanese Voters Cast Ballots in Election for New Government Leader

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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s conservative coalition is expected to perform well in Sunday’s parliamentary election, according to multiple opinion polls. The snap vote will determine the number of seats held by Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin). Polls suggest that the LDP-Ishin coalition could win more than 300 of the 465 available seats in the lower house of parliament.

Takaichi, who is seeking a new mandate to implement her agenda, has pledged to increase defense spending and introduce tougher immigration measures. The opposition parties have been criticized for being too fragmented to pose a significant challenge to Takaichi’s coalition.

The election comes as Japan faces economic challenges, including stagnant growth and rising living costs. The International Monetary Fund has predicted that the economy will expand by only 0.7 percent in 2026. In response, Takaichi has promised to suspend the 8 percent sales tax on food for two years to help households cope with rising prices.

Takaichi’s coalition has also been focused on revising security and defense policies, including lifting a ban on weapons exports. The party has proposed stricter requirements for foreign property owners and a cap on foreign residents.

Voters will cast their ballots in 289 single-seat constituencies, with the remainder decided by proportional representation votes for parties. Polls close at 8pm local time, when broadcasters are expected to issue projections based on exit polls.

The election is being held during a period of record snowfall in parts of the country, which may affect voter turnout. However, there is no indication that this will impact the outcome of the election.

Source: Al Jazeera