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Tetsuo Saito

Tetsuo Saito

Co-leader, Centrist Reform Alliance; Former Komeito Leader

Appears in 1 story

Stories

Takaichi bets on snap election to lock in mandate

Rule Changes

CRA co-leader resigns February 9, signals party leadership election before Diet session

Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, called a snap election on January 19, 2026, dissolving parliament on January 23 for a record-short 16-day campaign ending February 8. Takaichi's personal approval ratings of 60-78% overcame the party's pre-election scandals, leveraging pledges of fiscal stimulus, two-year food tax suspension, and tough China policy. Official results certified on February 9 confirmed LDP's postwar-record 316 seats alone—surpassing the 2009 DPJ high—securing a two-thirds supermajority even without full coalition reliance.

Updated Feb 9