Comparing the 2026 elections between Thailand and Japan ahead of the decisive voting on 8 Feb 2026: what are the similarities and differences in the government paths before dissolution and the election procedures?
8 Feb 2026 marks another significant milestone in Asian politics as Thailand and Japan both conduct their general elections on the same day to determine the political future of each country, amid public expectations and accumulated political pressures.
Although voting occurs on the same day, the political contexts, election rules, and post-election challenges differ between the two countries. However, both Thailand and Japan share the major challenge after the polls: "forming a government," which may prove difficult for both.
The journey of Thailand towards this election has been marked by prolonged political instability. After Anutin Charnvirakul assumed the prime ministership, he dissolved parliament on 12 Dec 2025 to allow the public to decide the country's direction again amid uncertain political conditions and increasingly intense competition among political parties.
Looking back to the 2023 election, Thai politics has rapidly transitioned, with the prime ministership changing hands three times within a few years. It began with Srettha Thavisin who stepped down following a Constitutional Court ruling on serious ethical violations related to appointing Pichit Chuenban as Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office.
Next was Paethongtarn Shinawatra, the former female prime minister, who resigned for similar ethical breaches involving an audio clip of a conversation with Samdech Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian Senate. The position was then temporarily held by Poomtham Vejjajiva, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence,
before executive power passed to Anutin Charnvirakul, the current prime minister. After governing for some time, he decided to dissolve parliament amid disputes over constitutional amendments with the People’s Party. Anutin cited multiple challenges facing the country and a minority, unstable government unable to push policies effectively as reasons for returning power to the people through elections and a referendum on a new constitution. This raises crucial questions about how stable the political environment will be after the election.
Meanwhile, on the side of Japan, the lead-up to the general election is also marked by significant upheaval. The 8 Feb 2026 election is closely watched after Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s current prime minister, dissolved parliament on 23 Jan 2026 to pave the way for a fresh election. Her key goal is to seek a popular mandate to advance economic and security policies with the new coalition government amid domestic economic pressures and escalating regional security tensions.
Previously, political instability in Japan began during the tenure of Fumio Kishida, who became prime minister in Nov 2021 but decided not to run again as head of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Oct 2024. This decision was seen as ending his premiership amid declining government popularity due to non-transparent political donations and other controversies.
Subsequently, Shigeru Ishiba was elected as LDP leader and prime minister with the task of restoring trust in the government and party. However, political challenges persisted when the LDP lost its majority in parliament, leading Ishiba to resign in Sept 2025 as a political responsibility.
These events marked a pivotal moment in Japanese politics, prompting a rebalancing of power within the LDP and opening the way for Sanae Takaichi to become Japan’s first female prime minister.
Takaichi’s decision to dissolve parliament early in the regular session caused significant political shock, as it was the first such dissolution in over 60 years during this period, sparking criticism related to the 2026 budget, scheduled to take effect in April.
For this election, the LDP aims clearly to secure a parliamentary majority as a popular mandate to support long-term strategic, security, and economic policies amid structural challenges Japan faces — rising living costs, a weakening yen, regional security tensions, and declining government popularity.
At the same time, the LDP faces a major political test as political alliances shift, forming a coalition government with the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), while the opposition unites under the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) and Komeito, the LDP’s longtime ally for 26 years.
Thus, this election is not merely a scheduled vote but a critical decision on Japan’s political future, determining whether the LDP can maintain its leading role and parliamentary majority amid waning popularity.
Although both Thailand and Japan are constitutional monarchies with democratic systems granting voting rights to citizens aged 18 and over, and both hold elections on the same day, their election rules differ significantly in structure, number of representatives, voting methods, election day procedures, and early voting, reflecting distinct political contexts.
Number of representatives
Both countries use mixed electoral systems for their members of parliament. Japan has 465 seats — 289 constituency seats and 176 party-list seats. Thailand has 500 seats — 350 constituency seats and 150 party-list seats. Both set parliamentary terms at four years.
Differences also appear in practical election procedures. In Japan, polling stations mostly open from 07:00 to 20:00, while in polling occurs nationwide from 08:00 to 17:00.
Voting methods
Additionally, the voting methods reflect differing political cultures. In Japan, voters write the name of their chosen candidate and party on the ballot themselves. In contrast,Thailand uses a familiar system where voters mark a cross beside the candidate's number.
Early voting
Regarding early voting, Japan allows voters to cast ballots from the day after the official candidate announcement until the day before election day, without prior registration, at their local early voting station. For this election, that period is 28 Jan to 7 Feb 2026, increasing voting flexibility.
Thailand sets a specific early voting day, typically the Sunday before election day, which this time falls on 1 Feb 2026, ahead of the main vote on 8 Feb.
Another notable difference is campaign duration. Thailand allows 57 days of campaigning following parliament dissolution, while Japan permits only 16 days. This time difference may reflect each country's readiness in organizing elections and candidates’ preparations.
Though both countries aim to empower citizens to determine political direction at the polls, their differing rules and procedures clearly reflect distinct political contexts and democratic cultures, potentially affecting voter behavior and overall election outcomes.
However, the true challenge for both nations likely does not end with voting but begins with the post-election government formation process.
In Japan, although the LDP has long been the dominant party, shifts among former coalition partners have intensified competition for a parliamentary majority. Securing that majority is crucial for the party’s future and the prime ministership.
In Thailand, multiple parties vie to secure parliamentary seats to gain leverage in forming a government. The key question is what shape the post-election government will take and how stable it will be politically.
Thus, 8 Feb is not just election day but the start of a significant political test for both Thailand and Japan, with results that may determine their countries’ long-term trajectories.
