On the evening of January 14, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae broke her silence.

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister / Good evening.

S/ Reporter / Is it correct that dissolution will be on January 23, at the start of the ordinary Diet session?

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister / It’s exactly as Secretary-General Suzuki and representatives of the Japan Innovation Party told you earlier. Thank you.

S/ Reporter / So will it be on the 23rd? The opening day?

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister / No, I believe I said it would be at an early stage of the ordinary Diet session.

S/ Reporter / And the voting day would be February 8?

S/ Staff / That’s all.

This was the first time Takaichi responded to questions about the dissolution, but she did not comment on specific dates.

Earlier in the evening, Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Suzuki Shunichi visited the Prime Minister’s Office.

The LDP’s coalition partner Japan Innovation Party’s Representative Yoshimura Hirofumi and Co-Representative Fujita Fumitake also came.

The ruling party executives gathered for talks with Takaichi, who also serves as LDP president.

This was where she conveyed her intention to dissolve the lower house early in the regular Diet session convening on January 23.

The prime minister is said to be planning to explain the election schedule and other details to the public on January 19.

The coming House of Representatives election in Japan is likely to become a mid-winter battle.

Today, we headed for the northern island of Hokkaido.

Namiki Moka, NTV Reporter: Here in Sapporo, snow continues to fall, and the snow piles up quite high along the roadside.

The snow was piled higher than the rooftops of cars.

The Sapporo Election Management Committee is grappling with this possible snow season election.

Namiki Moka, NTV Reporter: What's challenging about national elections during the snow season?

Sapporo Election Management Committee Office, Election Division Chief: To be honest, the last national election held during the snow season was in 1990, so it's been over 30 years since we've done one. Consequently, there's not a single staff member in this office who has the know-how or is familiar with what’s all involved.

This would be the first mid-winter House of Representatives election in 36 years.

What worries officials most is...

Sapporo Election Management Committee Office, Election Division Chief: There are over 2,000 poster display locations throughout Sapporo, but most are currently buried in snow, so it's uncertain whether all of them can be set up.

The installation of election poster boards...

This is where an election poster board was set up during 2025's House of Councillors election, but when you go there now...

Namiki Moka, NTV Reporter: This is where election posters used to be displayed, but right now the snow is piled up to about waist height, and you can't see the ground.

Sapporo Election Management Committee Office, Election Division Chief: First, snow removal must be completed before construction can begin, requiring a two-step process. It remains to be seen whether this can be accomplished within such a short timeframe.

There are other concerns too...

The Sapporo Snow Festival, Hokkaido's major winter event, will be held starting on February 4th.

If the House of Representatives election is held on February 8th, the two events will overlap.

During the Sapporo Snow Festival, a large number of tourists will visit, and taxi usage will also increase.

Sapporo Election Management Committee Office, Election Division Chief: We need taxis to transport ballot boxes from polling stations to counting centers, but we're not sure if we can actually secure enough taxis.

Every year on election day, ballot boxes are transported by taxi, so securing taxis is also a cause for concern.

Namiki Moka, NTV Reporter: How do you feel about national elections during the snow season?

Sapporo Election Management Committee Office, Election Division Chief: Honestly, I'd prefer it if we could avoid holding elections in winter.

We talked to local residents to ask how they felt.

Sapporo Resident: I’m worried about the weather on election day.

Namiki Moka, NTV Reporter: Are you planning to vote this time?

Sapporo Resident: I'll probably go again this time.

Sapporo Resident: It's usually pretty cold outside, so I don't really want to leave the house. Ideally, I'd prefer it when the snow melts and it gets warmer outside.

Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae answered questions about the dissolution of the Diet for the first time.

NTV Reporter: Is it okay to say that the Diet will be dissolved on January 23rd?

Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan: I’ll mention it as soon as it’s decided in the ordinary session of the Diet.

The sudden “dissolution rumors” are affecting exam takers too.

High School Student: I think it might be difficult for me to vote this year.

High School Student: Since mid-February happens to be entrance exam season.

NTV Reporter: What about early or absentee voting?

High School Student: Since it's exam season, even though it's called early voting, things get hectic right before the deadline, so it's difficult.

For those entering adulthood, this is their first House of Representatives election.

High School Student: I'd love to go vote since I finally have the right to, but I have exams coming up.

NTV Reporter: Are you going to vote?

High School Student: Yes, I am.

High School Student: Since it's my first time, and the timing is close to the exams, I think I'll go vote.

High School Student: I'm gathering information through social media and TV to decide who to vote for.