General election in Japan

General election in Japan

A candidate makes a stump speech in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, ahead of the general election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) and other lawmakers from her Liberal Democratic Party raise their fists in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after she dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) and other lawmakers from her Liberal Democratic Party raise their fists in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after she dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after dissolving the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after dissolving the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after dissolving the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after dissolving the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after dissolving the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Photo taken on Jan. 23, 2026, shows a street television reporting news that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Photo taken on Jan. 23, 2026, shows a street television reporting news that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Parliament building in Tokyo

Parliament building in Tokyo

Photo taken on Jan. 23, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Japan's parliament building in Tokyo after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Parliament building in Tokyo

Parliament building in Tokyo

Photo taken on Jan. 23, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Japan's parliament building in Tokyo after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Preparation for general election

Preparation for general election

Photo taken on Jan. 23, 2026, shows a board set up for candidates' posters in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Preparation for general election

Preparation for general election

Photo taken on Jan. 23, 2026, shows a board set up for candidates' posters in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Preparation for general election

Preparation for general election

Photo taken on Jan. 23, 2026, shows a board set up for candidates' posters in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Noda

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Noda

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda (R) speaks during a pep rally for alliance members in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Noda

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Noda

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda speaks to pedestrians in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows people listening to a politician's speech in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows people listening to a politician's speech in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Saito

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Saito

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Tetsuo Saito (back, C) raises his fist during a pep rally for alliance members in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows people listening to a politician's speech in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Saito

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Saito

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Tetsuo Saito speaks to pedestrians in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Japan's lower house dissolved for snap electionn

Japan's lower house dissolved for snap electionn

Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Tetsuo Saito (R), co-leaders of the Centrist Reform Alliance, leave parliament after a House of Representatives plenary session in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the lower house during the session for a snap election on Feb. 8.

Japan's lower house dissolved for snap election

Japan's lower house dissolved for snap election

Yoshihiko Noda, co-leader of the Centrist Reform Alliance is pictured in parliament ahead of a House of Representatives plenary session in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the lower house during the session for a snap election on Feb. 8.

Japan's lower house dissolved for snap election

Japan's lower house dissolved for snap election

Yoshihiko Noda, co-leader of the Centrist Reform Alliance is pictured in parliament ahead of a House of Representatives plenary session in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the lower house during the session for a snap election on Feb. 8.

Japan's lower house dissolved for snap election

Japan's lower house dissolved for snap election

Yoshihiko Noda (R) and Tetsuo Saito (C), co-leaders of the Centrist Reform Alliance, are pictured in parliament ahead of a House of Representatives plenary session in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the lower house during the session for a snap election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japanese lawmakers leave the House of Representatives chamber in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the lower house during its plenary session for a snap election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi leaves the House of Representatives chamber in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after the lower house was dissolved at the outset of its plenary session for a snap election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) bows in parliament in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after the House of Representatives was dissolved for a snap election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) bows in parliament in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after the House of Representatives was dissolved for a snap election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi bows in parliament in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after the House of Representatives was dissolved for a snap election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (blue) looks on during a House of Representatives plenary session in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after the lower house was dissolved for a snap election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (blue) looks on during a House of Representatives plenary session in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after the lower house was dissolved for a snap election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi bows while lawmakers throw their arms in the air for a customary "banzai" in parliament in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after the House of Representatives was dissolved for a snap election on Feb. 8.

Japan's lower house dissolved for snap election

Japan's lower house dissolved for snap election

Japanese House of Representatives Speaker Fukushiro Nukaga reads out a rescript signed by the emperor to dissolve the lower house during its plenary session in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026. With the dissolution, a general election will be held on Feb. 8.

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japanese lawmakers throw their arms in the air for a customary "banzai" in parliament in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolves the House of Representatives for a snap election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japanese lawmakers throw their arms in the air for a customary "banzai" in parliament in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolves the House of Representatives for a snap election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japanese lawmakers throw their arms in the air for a customary "banzai" in parliament in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolves the House of Representatives for a snap election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (blue) is pictured ahead of a House of Representatives plenary session in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026. She dissolved the lower house the same day for a snap election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves lower house

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (blue) is pictured ahead of a House of Representatives plenary session in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026. She dissolved the lower house the same day for a snap election on Feb. 8.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Murayama in 2024

Former Japanese Prime Minister Murayama in 2024

Former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama poses for a photo on Feb. 23, 2024, in the southwestern Japan city of Oita, ahead of his 100th birthday on March 3.

Ex-marathon world record holder Terasawa dies at 90

Ex-marathon world record holder Terasawa dies at 90

File photo shows Japanese long-distance runner Toru Terasawa running Beppu Mainichi Marathon in world-record time in Beppu, Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 17, 1963. The Toyama Prefecture native died of chronic heart failure on March 23, 2025, at the age of 90.

Myanmar scam center raided

Myanmar scam center raided

Photo taken from Mae Sot, northwestern Thailand, on Feb. 23, 2025, shows buildings in eastern Myanmar, an area where scam centers are believed to be located.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani takes batting practice during spring training in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 23, 2025.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani takes batting practice during spring training in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 23, 2025.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga is pictured during spring training in Mesa, Arizona, on Feb. 23, 2025.

3rd anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine

3rd anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine

A mother (C) and her daughter are pictured in front of a tombstone of their husband and father in Kyiv on Feb. 23, 2025, the eve of the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki is called out on strikes in the sixth inning of a spring training game against the Texas Rangers in Mesa, Arizona, on Feb. 23, 2025.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki flies out in the fourth inning of a spring training game against the Texas Rangers in Mesa, Arizona, on Feb. 23, 2025.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki plays catch during spring training in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 23, 2025.