Banner on LDP election victory hung in Taiwan

Banner on LDP election victory hung in Taiwan

A banner celebrating a landslide general election victory of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is hung on a building in Taipei on Feb. 9, 2026, a day after the poll.

Banner on LDP election victory hung in Taiwan

Banner on LDP election victory hung in Taiwan

A banner celebrating a landslide general election victory of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is hung on a building in Taipei on Feb. 9, 2026, a day after the poll.

PM Takaichi meets press after historic election victory

PM Takaichi meets press after historic election victory

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a press conference at the headquarters of her Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo on Feb. 9, 2026, following the ruling party's historic landslide victory in a general election the previous day.

PM Takaichi meets press after historic election victory

PM Takaichi meets press after historic election victory

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a press conference at the headquarters of her Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo on Feb. 9, 2026, following the ruling party's historic landslide victory in a general election the previous day.

PM Takaichi meets press after historic election victory

PM Takaichi meets press after historic election victory

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a press conference at the headquarters of her Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo on Feb. 9, 2026, following the ruling party's historic landslide victory in a general election the previous day.

PM Takaichi meets press after historic election victory

PM Takaichi meets press after historic election victory

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a press conference at the headquarters of her Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo on Feb. 9, 2026, following the ruling party's historic landslide victory in a general election the previous day.

PM Takaichi meets press after historic election victory

PM Takaichi meets press after historic election victory

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a press conference at the headquarters of her Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo on Feb. 9, 2026, following the ruling party's historic landslide victory in a general election the previous day.

PM Takaichi meets press after historic election victory

PM Takaichi meets press after historic election victory

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a press conference at the headquarters of her Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo on Feb. 9, 2026, following the ruling party's historic landslide victory in a general election the previous day.

PM Takaichi meets press after historic election victory

PM Takaichi meets press after historic election victory

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a press conference at the headquarters of her Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo on Feb. 9, 2026, following the ruling party's historic landslide victory in a general election the previous day.

[Breaking News]Campaigning for general election in Japan

HIROSAKI, Japan, Jan. 28 Kyodo - Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda waves his hand in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, as official campaigning began across Japan the same day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8. (Kyodo)

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki makes a stump speech in southwestern Japan city in Fukuoka on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, makes a stump speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, makes a stump speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, makes a stump speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, makes a stump speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi makes a speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began in Japan the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi makes a speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began in Japan the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda makes a stump speech in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began in Japan the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japan Innovation Party co-leader Fumitake Fujita makes a stump speech in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began in Japan the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japan Innovation Party co-leader Fumitake Fujita makes a stump speech in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began in Japan the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi makes a speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began in Japan the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda makes a stump speech in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began in Japan the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda makes a stump speech in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, as official campaigning begins across Japan the same day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda (C) waves his hand in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, as official campaigning began across Japan the same day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Protest against Japan PM Takaichi

Protest against Japan PM Takaichi

A protester holds up a placard reading "We must not lose to a prime minister like this" at the venue of a stump speech by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who heads the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, in Tokyo's Akihabara area on Jan. 27, 2026. Official campaigning began across Japan the same day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Voters undergo security checks before listening to a stump speech in Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, the first day of official campaigning for the Feb. 8 House of Representatives election.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) who heads the ruling Liberal Democratic Party makes a stump speech, alongside Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura, in Tokyo's Akihabara area on Jan. 27, 2026. Official campaigning begins the same day across Japan for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

[Breaking News]Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Noda

TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 23 Kyodo - 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. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 23 Kyodo - 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. (Kyodo)

Debate by leaders of Japanese political parties

Debate by leaders of Japanese political parties

Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi speaks at a debate session with the leaders of six other political parties at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026, a day before official campaigning for the Feb. 8 general election starts.

Debate by leaders of Japanese political parties

Debate by leaders of Japanese political parties

Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi speaks at a debate session with the leaders of six other political parties at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026, a day before official campaigning for the Feb. 8 general election starts.

Debate by leaders of Japanese political parties

Debate by leaders of Japanese political parties

Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi speaks at a debate session with the leaders of six other political parties at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026, a day before official campaigning for the Feb. 8 general election starts.

Debate by leaders of Japanese political parties

Debate by leaders of Japanese political parties

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi attend a debate session with the leaders of five other political parties at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026, a day before official campaigning for the Feb. 8 general election starts.

Debate by leaders of Japanese political parties

Debate by leaders of Japanese political parties

(from L) Japanese Communist Party leader Tomoko Tamura, Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki, Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda, Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi, Japan Innovation Party co-leader Fumitake Fujita, Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya and Reiwa Shinsengumi co-leader Akiko Oishi attend a debate session at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026, a day before official campaigning for the Feb. 8 general election starts.

Debate by leaders of Japanese political parties

Debate by leaders of Japanese political parties

(from L) Japanese Communist Party leader Tomoko Tamura, Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki, Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda, Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi, Japan Innovation Party co-leader Fumitake Fujita, Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya and Reiwa Shinsengumi co-leader Akiko Oishi attend a debate session at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026, a day before official campaigning for the Feb. 8 general election starts.

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.