Tokyo: The official 12-day campaign for Japan's Lower House election commenced on Tuesday, with political parties urging voters to evaluate Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's fiscal and policy agenda.
According to Kuwait News Agency, as of 11 a.m. local time, over 1,200 candidates were preparing to file for the 465 seats available, which include 289 contested in single-seat constituencies and 176 allocated through proportional representation. This election is noteworthy as it is the first parliamentary election since 64-year-old Takaichi became Japan's first female prime minister in October. She dissolved the Lower House on January 23 to seek a fresh mandate from the electorate.
The election is being closely watched to determine if the ruling coalition, led by Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party, can maintain its majority in the influential Lower House. In her inaugural campaign speech in Tokyo, Takaichi emphasized her commitment to enhancing Japan's diplomatic influence, defense capabilities, economic performance, technological capacity, and human resources through new legislation and budgetary measures.
Prime Minister Takaichi urged voters to place their trust in her leadership, reiterating her commitment to resign if the ruling coalition does not succeed in securing a parliamentary majority in the election.