Japan’s ‘extremely unreasonable’ election timing threatens to keep young voters away

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by KyodoFebruary 5, 2026 at 03:13 AM

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Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is facing criticism for scheduling the general election on a Sunday in February, coinciding with peak university entrance exam season. This marks the first lower house election in February since 1990, potentially impacting young voters, particularly high school students preparing for exams, some of whom are eligible to vote. Critics, including Toshiko Takeya of the Komeito party, have called the timing "extremely unreasonable" due to the added burden on students. While Takaichi encourages early voting, concerns remain about the potential for lower turnout among young voters focused on their exams. The election timing has also sparked negative reactions on social media, with users expressing concerns about the added stress on students.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Tokyo 40% Yoshihiko Noda 50% Centrist Reform Alliance 50% House of Representatives 60% Toshiko Takeya 70% Komeito party 70% Liberal Democratic Party 70% General Election 80% Japan ×280% Sanae Takaichi ×390%

Keywords

general election 90% young voters 80% entrance exams 80% election timing 70% voting rights 60% sanae takaichi 50% japan 50% political burden 50% early voting 40%