Schedule and Irregularities of the Current General Election 

As of the date of this writing (February 3, 2026), the election campaign is currently underway in Japan for the general election of members of the House of Representatives (hereinafter referred to as the “General Election”), with the polling and counting of votes scheduled for February 8. 

The current election is irregular in several respects, notably that only approximately one year and three months have elapsed since the previous election, and that the dissolution took place at the very beginning of the ordinary session of the Diet. Most significantly, the period from dissolution to polling day is a mere “16 days”—the shortest interval in the postwar era. 

While information regarding the Japanese General Election is reported daily in Taiwan, the institutional background is not always sufficiently introduced. Therefore, using the current case as a model, this article provides an overview of the procedures and scheduling of a General Election, along with the relevant provisions of the Constitution and applicable laws. 

Dissolution of the House of Representatives: Institutional Positioning and Legal Basis 

Article 45 of the Constitution of Japan stipulates a four-year term for members of the House of Representatives. However, should the House be dissolved, the term ends at that point. It should be noted that while the National Diet of Japan consists of the “House of Representatives” and the “House of Councilors,” only the House of Representatives is subject to dissolution. 

Since the establishment of the current parliamentary system in the postwar period, only one General Election has been held due to the expiration of the full term; all others were triggered by dissolution. While the Cabinet’s authority to dissolve the House of Representatives is generally affirmed, there is ongoing academic debate regarding the specific circumstances under which such dissolution may occur. A relatively clear-cut case is when the Cabinet chooses to dissolve the House following the passage of a non-confidence resolution (Article 69 of the Constitution). 

Conversely, according to prevailing theory and government interpretation, the Cabinet may decide on dissolution for a broad range of reasons based on Article 7 of the Constitution (acts of the Emperor in matters of state performed with the advice and approval of the Cabinet). In practice, most past dissolutions have been carried out under the authority of Article 7. 

In the current instance, the Cabinet made the decision to dissolve the House under Article 7 via a Cabinet decision on January 23. That same afternoon, in the Chamber of the House of Representatives, the Speaker read the Imperial Rescript of Dissolution bearing the Emperor’s signature. By custom, members who have just lost their status as legislators collectively shout “Banzai” following the reading of the Rescript. 

Determination of the Schedule and Candidates: Legal Basis for the Proclamation and Election Dates 

Following the dissolution of the House, another Cabinet meeting was convened to set the date of Proclamation (January 27) and the Polling Day (February 8). 

The Constitution and the Public Offices Election Act provide the following mandates: 

• A General Election must be held within 40 days from the date of dissolution (Article 54 of the Constitution; Article 31, Paragraph 3 of the Public Offices Election Act). 

• The date of the election must be proclaimed at least 12 days in advance (Article 31, Paragraph 4 of the Public Offices Election Act). 

The current schedule of “Proclamation on January 27 and Polling on February 8” represents nearly the shortest possible timeframe allowed within the legal framework. Furthermore, the filing of candidacy takes place on the day of Proclamation, marking the official commencement of the election campaign. 

Diverse Voting Methods 

Voters have several options for exercising their right to vote: 

• Casting a ballot at a polling station on the day of the election. 

• Early voting (voting before the election date). 

• Absentee voting (voting from a temporary location if staying outside one’s place of residence). 

• Overseas voting (voting by Japanese nationals residing abroad). 

For Japanese nationals living in Taiwan, overseas voting can be conducted at the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association or via postal mail. However, reports indicate that due to the exceptionally tight schedule of this election, there are cases in certain countries where postal ballots may not reach the authorities before the deadline. 

Despite the availability of these systems, voter turnout for General Elections in recent years has fluctuated in the low 50% range. 

(References) 

• Legislative Bureau of the House of Representatives & Secretariat of the Commission on the Constitution, House of Representatives, “Materials Concerning the ‘Dissolution of the House of Representatives’ (May 8, 2025)” (https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.shugiin.go.jp/internet/itdb_kenpou.nsf/28ead72e24176afe49256967002b66d3/cb1a157579974c3f49258c8400261a46/$FILE/2170508_3housei_kenshin-siryou.pdf Accessed February 3, 2026). 

• Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, “The 51st General Election of Members of the House of Representatives” (https://www.soumu.go.jp/2026senkyo/ Accessed February 3, 2026).