Voters across Japan participated in a snap general election on Feb. 8, 2026, called by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The election was held approximately three months after Takaichi took office, with official results expected after polls closed at 11:00 GMT.
The election will determine the composition of the House of Representatives, the lower house of Japan’s National Diet. Prime Minister Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) entered the election as the head of the governing coalition. The final seat count will decide whether the LDP and its partners maintain their majority and form the next government.
Takaichi became prime minister three months prior to calling the election. Snap elections are called before the end of a parliamentary term and are a feature of Japan’s political system. Polling stations were established nationwide, with reports showing citizens casting their ballots throughout the day. A photograph from a polling location in Tokyo, credited to Reuters, showed a voter wearing a traditional kimono while voting.
The outcome of the election will shape the legislative agenda and political direction of Japan for the upcoming term. Vote counting began after polling stations closed. The final results will be certified and released by election officials.
