Campaigning begins for Japan's Feb. 8 election as PM Takaichi seeks mandate

TOKYO - Official campaigning began across Japan on Tuesday for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi seeks a fresh mandate to continue her economic and security policies with her Liberal Democratic Party's new coalition ally.

During the 12-day campaign, 1,285 candidates are vying for the lower house's 465 seats in the first national election since Takaichi took office on Oct. 21. It is also the first national contest since the LDP ended its 26-year partnership with the Komeito party and formed a new coalition with the Japan Innovation Party.