Japan Dissolves Lower House Ahead of February Election With Record Short Campaign

Japan’s lower house of parliament has been formally dissolved, setting the stage for a general election scheduled for February 8 and marking one of the shortest official campaign periods in the country’s modern political history.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida moved to dissolve the chamber as his government seeks a fresh mandate amid public concern over economic pressures, rising living costs and political reforms.

The unusually brief campaign is expected to intensify political messaging, with parties focusing on voter turnout and rapid outreach rather than prolonged rallies.

Analysts say the compressed timeline favors established parties with strong organizational networks, while smaller and opposition groups face challenges gaining visibility.

The election outcome is seen as critical for Japan’s policy direction on economic recovery, defense strategy and relations with regional and global partners.