Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivers a policy speech at a House of Representatives plenary session in Tokyo on Feb. 20, 2026.

Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese Emperor Naruhito ddresses the opening ceremony of a special parliamentary session in the House of Councillors chamber in Tokyo on Feb. 20, 2026.

Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (top C) addresses the opening ceremony of a special parliamentary session in the House of Councillors chamber in Tokyo on Feb. 20, 2026.

Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese Emperor Naruhito addresses the opening ceremony of a special parliamentary session in the House of Councillors chamber in Tokyo on Feb. 20, 2026.

Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (top C) addresses the opening ceremony of a special parliamentary session in the House of Councillors chamber in Tokyo on Feb. 20, 2026.

Special Diet session

Special Diet session

The opening ceremony of a special parliamentary session is held in the House of Councillors chamber in Tokyo on Feb. 20, 2026, with the attendance of Emperor Naruhito.

Special Diet session

Special Diet session

The opening ceremony of a special parliamentary session is held in the House of Councillors chamber in Tokyo on Feb. 20, 2026, with the attendance of Emperor Naruhito.

Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from R) chats with Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) after casting a vote during a lower house plenary session in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026, to select the new prime minister following the Feb. 8 general election.

Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi casts her vote during a lower house plenary session in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026, to select the new prime minister following the Feb. 8 general election.

Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi casts her vote during a lower house plenary session in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026, to select the new prime minister following the Feb. 8 general election.

Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi casts her vote during a lower house plenary session in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026, to select the new prime minister following the Feb. 8 general election.

Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) attends a Cabinet meeting at her office in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026, as a special parliamentary session convenes following the Feb. 8 general election.

Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese lawmakers arrive at the parliament building in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026, for a special session following the Feb. 8 general election.

Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese lawmakers arrive at the parliament building in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026, for a special session following the Feb. 8 general election.

Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese lawmakers arrive at the parliament building in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026, for a special session following the Feb. 8 general election.

Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese lawmakers arrive at the parliament building in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026, for a special session following the Feb. 8 general election.

Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese lawmakers arrive at the parliament building in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026, for a special session following the Feb. 8 general election.

Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese lawmakers arrive at the parliament building in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026, for a special session following the Feb. 8 general election.

Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese lawmakers arrive at the parliament building in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026, for a special session following the Feb. 8 general election.

Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese lawmakers arrive at the parliament building in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026, for a special session following the Feb. 8 general election.

Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese lawmakers arrive at the parliament building in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026, for a special session following the Feb. 8 general election.

Eve of PM Takaichi's Diet dissolution

Eve of PM Takaichi's Diet dissolution

Photo taken on Jan. 22, 2026, shows Japan's parliament building in Tokyo on the eve of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's scheduled dissolution of the House of Representatives for a snap general election.

Eve of PM Takaichi's Diet dissolution

Eve of PM Takaichi's Diet dissolution

Photo taken on Jan. 22, 2026, shows Japan's parliament building in Tokyo on the eve of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's scheduled dissolution of the House of Representatives for a snap general election.

Eve of PM Takaichi's Diet dissolution

Eve of PM Takaichi's Diet dissolution

Photo taken on Jan. 22, 2026, shows Japan's parliament building in Tokyo on the eve of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's scheduled dissolution of the House of Representatives for a snap general election.

Eve of PM Takaichi's Diet dissolution

Eve of PM Takaichi's Diet dissolution

Photo taken on Jan. 22, 2026, shows Japan's parliament building in Tokyo on the eve of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's scheduled dissolution of the House of Representatives for a snap general election.

Japan PM Announces Decision to Dissolve Lower House for Snap Election

Japan PM Announces Decision to Dissolve Lower House for Snap Election

This photo taken on January 17, 2026 shows a view of the National Diet Building in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will hold a press conference at 6 p.m. local time on Monday to explain the dissolution of the House of Representatives, Kyodo News reported. Photo by Xinhua/Jia Haocheng/ABACAPRESS.COM

Japan PM Announces Decision to Dissolve Lower House for Snap Election

Japan PM Announces Decision to Dissolve Lower House for Snap Election

This photo taken on January 19, 2026 shows a view of the National Diet Building in Tokyo, Japan. Japan PM Takaichi announced decision to dissolve lower house for snap election. Photo by Xinhua/Jia Haocheng/ABACAPRESS.COM

Japan PM Announces Decision to Dissolve Lower House for Snap Election

Japan PM Announces Decision to Dissolve Lower House for Snap Election

This photo taken on January 19, 2026 shows a view of the National Diet Building in Tokyo, Japan. Japan PM Takaichi announced decision to dissolve lower house for snap election. Photo by Xinhua/Jia Haocheng/ABACAPRESS.COM

Japan PM Announces Decision to Dissolve Lower House for Snap Election

Japan PM Announces Decision to Dissolve Lower House for Snap Election

This photo taken on January 19, 2026 shows a view of the National Diet Building in Tokyo, Japan. Japan PM Takaichi announced decision to dissolve lower house for snap election. Photo by Xinhua/Jia Haocheng/ABACAPRESS.COM

Japan's main opposition CDPJ, Komeito to form new party

Japan's main opposition CDPJ, Komeito to form new party

Tetsuo Saito, leader of the Komeito party, formerly a longtime ruling coalition partner, heads for a meeting with Yoshihiko Noda, leader of Japan's main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, at the Diet in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026. During the meeting, the two parties agreed to form a new party ahead of a looming snap general election.

Japan's main opposition CDPJ, Komeito to form new party

Japan's main opposition CDPJ, Komeito to form new party

Yoshihiko Noda (front), leader of Japan's main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, heads for a meeting with Tetsuo Saito, leader of the Komeito party, formerly a longtime ruling coalition partner, at the Diet in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026. During the meeting, the two parties agreed to form a new party ahead of a looming snap general election.

Japan's main opposition CDPJ, Komeito to form new party

Japan's main opposition CDPJ, Komeito to form new party

Yoshihiko Noda (R), leader of Japan's main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, and Komeito party leader Tetsuo Saito (L) are pictured ahead of their talks at the Diet in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026. During the talks, the two parties decided to form a new party ahead of a looming snap general election.

Japan's main opposition CDPJ, Komeito to form new party

Japan's main opposition CDPJ, Komeito to form new party

Yoshihiko Noda (C), leader of Japan's main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, and Komeito party leader Tetsuo Saito (2nd from L), alongside other party executives, hold a meeting at the Diet in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026. During the meeting, the two parties agreed to form a new party ahead of a looming snap general election.

Feb. 1936 military revolt in Tokyo

Feb. 1936 military revolt in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan, Nov. 14 Kyodo - A group of young Imperial Japanese Army officers enter the Diet building in Tokyo on Feb. 27, 1936, in an attempt to seize control of key locations, including the prime minister's residence, in the so-called 2.26 incident that started in the early morning of Feb. 26. The coup, conducted by a faction of officers within the Army who were dissatisfied with the government's perceived weakness and corruption, ended in failure.

Exterior of the National Diet Building

Exterior of the National Diet Building

Exterior of the National Diet Building=October 14,2025,Tokyo

Exterior of the National Diet Building

Exterior of the National Diet Building

Exterior of the National Diet Building=October 14,2025,Tokyo

Exterior of the National Diet Building

Exterior of the National Diet Building

Exterior of the National Diet Building=October 14,2025,Tokyo

Exterior of the National Diet Building

Exterior of the National Diet Building

Exterior of the National Diet Building=October 14,2025,Tokyo

Extraordinary Diet session opens in Japan

Extraordinary Diet session opens in Japan

An extraordinary parliamentary session opens in Tokyo on Oct. 24, 2025, with new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi giving her first policy speech since taking office.

Extraordinary Diet session opens in Japan

Extraordinary Diet session opens in Japan

An extraordinary parliamentary session opens in Tokyo on Oct. 24, 2025, with new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi giving her first policy speech since taking office.

Extraordinary Diet session opens in Japan

Extraordinary Diet session opens in Japan

An extraordinary parliamentary session opens in Tokyo on Oct. 24, 2025, with new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi giving her first policy speech since taking office.

Opening ceremony of Japan's extraordinary Diet session

Opening ceremony of Japan's extraordinary Diet session

Japan's Emperor Naruhito speaks at the opening ceremony of an extraordinary parliamentary session in Tokyo on Oct. 24, 2025.

Opening ceremony of Japan's extraordinary Diet session

Opening ceremony of Japan's extraordinary Diet session

Japan's Emperor Naruhito speaks at the opening ceremony of an extraordinary parliamentary session in Tokyo on Oct. 24, 2025.

Opening ceremony of Japan's extraordinary Diet session

Opening ceremony of Japan's extraordinary Diet session

Japan's Emperor Naruhito speaks at the opening ceremony of an extraordinary parliamentary session in Tokyo on Oct. 24, 2025.

Extraordinary Diet session opens in Japan

Extraordinary Diet session opens in Japan

The opening ceremony of an extraordinary parliamentary session is held in Tokyo on Oct. 24, 2025, with Japanese Emperor Naruhito in attendance. The session will run until Dec. 17.

Extraordinary Diet session opens in Japan

Extraordinary Diet session opens in Japan

The opening ceremony of an extraordinary parliamentary session is held in Tokyo on Oct. 24, 2025, with Japanese Emperor Naruhito in attendance. The session will run until Dec. 17.

Japan LDP leadership election

Japan LDP leadership election

Former Japanese internal affairs minister Sanae Takaichi (R) holds hands with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at a meeting of Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers of both houses of the Diet at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Oct. 4, 2025, after winning the ruling party's presidential election in a runoff vote.

Japan LDP leadership election

Japan LDP leadership election

Former Japanese internal affairs minister Sanae Takaichi (R) holds hands with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at a meeting of Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers of both houses of the Diet at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Oct. 4, 2025, after winning the ruling party's presidential election in a runoff vote.

Japan LDP leadership election

Japan LDP leadership election

Former internal affairs minister Sanae Takaichi (C,R) holds hands with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (C, L) and four other candidates in the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election at a meeting of LDP lawmakers of both houses of the Diet at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Oct. 4, 2025. Takaichi won the election in a runoff vote.

Japan LDP leadership election

Japan LDP leadership election

Former internal affairs minister Sanae Takaichi (C,R) holds hands with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (C, L) and four other candidates in the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election at a meeting of LDP lawmakers of both houses of the Diet at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Oct. 4, 2025. Takaichi won the election in a runoff vote.