As of the evening of February 9th, according to Jiji Press, Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party secured a historic landslide victory in Sunday's House of Representatives election, winning 316 seats to occupy a standalone two-thirds majority of the 465 seats in the all-important lower chamber of the Diet, the country's parliament.

Episode notes:

'Japan Ruling LDP Claims Historic Win in Lower House Election':

https://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2026020901581

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party secured a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives in Sunday’s general election, delivering a strong mandate for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and enhancing her ability to advance key policies. Holding more than 310 seats in the 465-member chamber allows the party to pursue constitutional revision and pass legislation even if rejected by the House of Councillors, where the ruling bloc lacks a majority. Meanwhile, the minor populist party Sanseito expanded its lower house presence to 13 seats from two, though its leader voiced dissatisfaction with the outcome, while Team Mirai won its first seat, according to early returns.

Episode notes:

‘LDP Wins Two-Thirds Majority, Sanseito and Team Mirai Gain Seats’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/09/ldp-wins-two-thirds-majority-sanseito-and-team-mirai-gain-seats/

Japan's Liberal Democratic Party led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is set to win a majority in the House of Representatives in Sunday's election, according to Kyodo News exit polls.

Episode notes:

‘Japan's ruling LDP certain to win lower house majority: exit polls’

https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/70097

With less than a month to go until the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games open on March 6, Japan is stepping up final preparations for a campaign that will feature broad representation across the six-sport program, including the return of its para ice hockey team.

Episode notes:

‘Less than a month until the Paralympics, Japan finalizes Milan–Cortina preparations’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/07/less-than-a-month-until-the-paralympics-japan-finalizes-milan-cortina-preparations/

The Japan Innovation Party and Sanseito have called for setting a cap on the percentage of foreign nationals in Japan’s population in their promises to voters for Sunday’s House of Representatives election. By contrast, the Liberal Democratic Party, the JIP’s ally in the ruling camp, makes no mention of such a cap in its election platform. The Centrist Reform Alliance, a new opposition party created by Lower House lawmakers from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito, considers such a cap a premature measure.

Episode Notes:

‘JIP, Sanseito Call for Cap on Foreigners in Japan’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/04/jip-sanseito-call-for-cap-on-foreigners-in-japan/

The Tokyo High Court will decide on March 4 whether to back a lower court’s order for the Unification Church to disband itself, informed sources said Wednesday. If the high court upholds the dissolution order, it will take effect regardless of whether the religious group appeals to the Supreme Court, and liquidation procedures will begin. The group could continue its activities as a voluntary organization, but it would lose its status as a religious corporation and would no longer be eligible for tax benefits.

Episode notes:

‘Tokyo Court to Rule on Unification Church Dissolution Order on March 4':

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/05/tokyo-court-to-rule-on-unification-church-dissolution-order-on-march-4/

The Shukan Bunshun published: ”As early as Friday, January 30, two days before the broadcast, Takaichi’s camp had already approached Takayuki Kobayashi, the Chairperson of the Policy Research Council, to act as a last-minute substitute.”

Episode notes:

‘Takaichi Cancels TV Debate due to Hand Injury’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/01/takaichi-cancels-tv-debate-due-to-hand-injury/

Shukan B Bunshun article:

https://bunshun.jp/articles/-/85876?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=onlinePublished

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi canceled her appearance in a television debate program Sunday morning as she injured her hand during the campaign trail for the Feb. 8 general election. Takaichi posted on X, formerly Twitter, that she injured her hand during her campaign activities in the past couple of days and has been receiving treatment. “When I shook hands with a person who supports me enthusiastically, my hand was pulled hard and I hurt it,” she said, adding, “I have chronic rheumatoid arthritis, so my hand became swollen.”

‘Takaichi Cancels TV Debate due to Hand Injury':

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/01/takaichi-cancels-tv-debate-due-to-hand-injury/

While the court ordered the payment of ¥800,000 in consolation money, it did not recognize the claim for wages for the period during which the man was unable to work after his dismissal. The plaintiff’s attorney, Motoya Tsuchida, said, “The ruling does, in a sense, squarely acknowledge disability discrimination,” while indicating that they plan to appeal.

Episode notes:

‘Yokohama Court Rules Disability-Based Dismissal After ‘Outing’ Illegal’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/01/yokohama-court-rules-disability-based-dismissal-after-outing-illegal/

Supporters of Sanseito took to the streets of Kobe on Saturday 31st January 2026 to promote the party’s platform ahead of the upcoming election; as did the ‘Social Democratic Party’.

Episode notes:

‘Sanseito supporters campaign in Kobe ahead of election’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/01/sanseito-supporters-campaign-in-kobe-ahead-of-election/