Voters brave heavy snow as Sanae Takaichi seeks sweeping victory

Voters across Japan pushed through heavy winter snow on Sunday (8 January) to cast ballots in an election expected to hand Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi a sweeping victory.

Opinion polls show Takaichi’s conservative coalition on track for around 300 of the 465-seat lower house, a sharp rise from the 233 it currently holds.

In Niigata, where snow has climbed above two metres in some areas, residents said the conditions would not deter them.

Teacher Kazushige Cho said he remained committed to backing the Liberal Democratic Party because “she’s shown strong leadership and pushes various policies forward.”

Sanakatsu wave among younger voters

Takaichi, 64, became prime minister in October after winning the LDP leadership and called this rare February election to capture the momentum behind her growing personal appeal.

Her direct manner and reputation for long hours have helped create a youth-led craze known as “Sanakatsu,” which has driven demand for items she uses, from a handbag to a pink pen she brings to parliament.

Polls show more than 90% of voters under 30 prefer her, though turnout in that age group is typically lower than among older generations.

Policy decisions shaping the campaign

Takaichi has expanded military spending in response to China, a move that has angered Beijing, and proposed cutting the consumption tax.

Seiji Inada of FGS Global said that a big win would give her room to pursue consumption tax cuts and may move markets, with possible pressure on the yen.

Her plan to freeze the 8% consumption tax on food for two years has unsettled investors worried about how Japan, the most heavily indebted advanced economy, would finance it.

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Concerns among older voters

Some residents voiced caution. Niigata voter Mineko Mori, who walked through the snow with her dog, said the tax plan could increase the burden on future generations.

She planned to support Sanseito, a small far-right party that gained attention in the 2025 upper house ballot with calls for tighter controls on foreigners and immigration.

Trump endorsement and possible supermajority

On Thursday, Takaichi received the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump, a signal that could resonate with right-leaning voters.

If her coalition with the Japan Innovation Party, known as Ishin, reaches 310 seats, it will be able to override the upper house, where it lacks a majority. Takaichi has said she will step down if she loses control of the lower chamber.

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Blizzards threaten turnout as transport halts

Up to 70 cm of new snow is forecast in northern regions, forcing many voters to battle blizzard conditions. It is only the third post-war election held in February, as most votes take place in milder seasons.

Even Tokyo saw a rare snowfall, causing minor traffic disruption. Nationwide, 37 train lines, 58 ferry routes and 54 flights were halted on Sunday morning.

Organised blocs could gain from lower turnout

Turnout in recent lower house elections has stayed in the mid-50% range.

Any sharp fall could increase the influence of organised blocs such as Komeito, which quit its LDP alliance last year and has since merged with the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.

Komeito maintains close ties with Soka Gakkai, a lay Buddhist group with millions of members.

Voters will select representatives for 289 single-seat districts, with remaining seats allocated by proportional representation. Polls close at 8 p.m., and broadcasters will release exit poll projections soon after.

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Japan elections Japan Election Sanae Takaichi