Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi seeks a strong mandate in a snap election held under heavy snowfall, with results set to impact China relations and financial markets
TOKYO: Japan voted in a snap election on Sunday, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hoping to secure a strong mandate despite heavy snowfall disrupting voting in many parts of the country.
Opinion polls suggest her Liberal Democratic Party will easily regain a majority in the powerful 465-member lower house.
The LDP and its coalition partner could even secure the 310 seats needed for a two-thirds majority, which would be the party’s best result since 2017.
This is the first time in decades a general election has been held in snowy February, with voters braving difficult conditions to cast their ballots.
“I think it’s important to come, so that we can properly take part in politics as well,” a voter surnamed Kondo told AFP near a Tokyo polling station.
Another voter in his 70s in Aomori told NHK he struggled with the snow and wished the election was held in a snowless season.
Takaichi, a former heavy metal drummer and admirer of Margaret Thatcher, has proven a hit with voters since becoming leader in October.
Her campaign promised to suspend a consumption tax on food, following a $135 billion stimulus package aimed at easing inflation pain.
However, concerns persist over her stewardship of Japan’s public finances, with debt more than twice the size of the economy.
“I don’t know whether that will actually lead us in a better direction,” voter Chika Sakamoto told AFP, though she hoped aggressive spending would ease price pressures.
Takaichi’s early tenure has been marked by a sharp deterioration in relations with China, following remarks about potential military intervention over Taiwan.
Beijing reacted furiously, summoning Japan’s ambassador and conducting joint air drills with Russia.
US President Donald Trump has endorsed Takaichi as a “strong, powerful, and wise Leader”.
Political analyst Margarita Estevez-Abe said the China episode raised Takaichi’s popularity further, but the best scenario would be for her to now focus on amending the relationship.
Voting stations closed at 8:00 pm local time, with media predictions based on partial results expected soon after.