Political situation in Japan

Japan's ruling party faces expected landslide victory in new elections

Japan's ruling conservative party, the LDP, is heading for an expected victory in Sunday's new elections. This is shown by forecasts in connection with the closing of polling stations, reports AFP.

The LDP looks set to win between 274 and 328 of the 465 seats in parliament, according to public service channel NHK. This means that the party is making significant progress compared to today's 198 seats and can govern on its own in the future.

The election was called by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, with the aim of using personal popularity to strengthen the party's majority.

Winter weather may lower Japan's voter turnout

For the first time in 36 years, Japan is holding parliamentary elections in the winter, reports the BBC. Normally, the country's elections are arranged in the summer, but this time it is a new election called by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

The election is taking place at a time when parts of the country have been hit by huge amounts of snow in recent weeks, and the weather is believed to affect voter turnout. Advance voting has fallen by 2.5 percent compared to the 2024 election, which is linked to the weather.

According to authorities, 37 train lines and 58 ferry lines are at a standstill on Sunday and 54 flights have been canceled. Snow is also falling in the capital Tokyo on election day, which the BBC describes as unusual.

Popular Prime Minister's risky move to strengthen party

On Sunday, Japan goes to the new election that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. called with the aim of using his personal popularity to strengthen his party's majority in parliament, writes the BBC.

It is a political game that his predecessor Shigeru Ishiba also took on - and lost. However, according to several analysts, Takaichi's starting position is better.

“There is a positive atmosphere around her being Japan’s first female prime minister and, around her diplomatic successes,” says Jeffrey Hall at Kanda University of International Studies.

The timing of the new election has been criticized by the opposition, who say, among other things, that it has delayed important measures to curb inflation.