Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae dissolved the House of Representatives on January 23.

This was the first time in 60 years for the lower house to be dissolved on the day the regular Diet was convened.

With only 16 days until the day of voting on February 8, it will be the shortest general election battle since the end of World War II.

While the support ratings for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party remain low, Takaichi’s administration has had high approval ratings.

Against this background, the Japanese leader has framed the campaign around the theme of asking the public whether she is suitable as prime minister.

Takaichi, who also serves as president of the LDP, is expected to put her personal policy stamp at the forefront.

The LDP included consumption tax reduction on its election platform for the first time, pledging to accelerate consideration of setting the tax rate to zero for food products limited for two years.

An aide to Takaichi said the aim is to win the election on the back of her popularity.

There have been major movements among opposition parties as well, with the launch of the Centrist Reform Alliance by the largest opposition Constitutional Democratic Party and the Komeito party, which broke off its decades-long coalition partnership with the LDP in October last year.

S/ Noda Yoshihiko, Co-leader, Centrist Reform Alliance / I don’t think there was a clear explanation on the reason for the dissolution. If it’s just a matter of asking people if she should remain as prime minister, there’s no point to it.

The new party’s flagship policy is the permanent elimination of consumption tax on food items starting this autumn.

A senior party member said the LDP is not serious about reducing the consumption tax, while the Centrist Reform Alliance is serious about the idea, having spelled out the timing and funding sources.

But effects of the merger remain uncertain, with a veteran lawmaker belonging to the new party saying it feels strange to be campaigning alongside those who were enemies until several months ago.

Other opposition parties including the Democratic Party for the People will seek to gain seats by emphasizing their differences from both the ruling parties and the new centrist party.

Japan has entered full-fledged election mode as the strongest cold wave of the season grips the country.

Many lawmakers say this is the first time for them to fight an election in such cold weather.

Official campaigning is scheduled to begin on January 27.