On February 8, 2026, Japanese voters are participating in early legislative elections organized by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The polls opened at 7 AM local time, across over 44,600 voting stations nationwide. This election marks the 51st session of the House of Representatives, with early voting already completed in remote island regions. The closure of polls is set for 8 PM local time, after which vote counting will commence.

The central issue at stake in this election is the ability of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Restoration Party to secure a majority in the National Diet. A total of 465 seats are available, with at least 233 needed to maintain a governing majority. The outcome will determine if Takaichi's administration can continue in power or if opposition parties will rise to influence governance.

The election comes at a critical time as the political landscape in Japan faces various challenges, including economic concerns and public dissatisfaction. The results will not only impact the political stability in Japan but also could influence its international relations and domestic policies. Voter turnout and public sentiment leading up to the election will be closely watched as indicators of future political trends in the country.