高市豪赌！“恩格尔系数”26年新高之际，日本大选又来了

Group 1 - The Japanese House of Representatives election is taking place on February 8, with 465 seats contested, including 289 single-member districts and 176 proportional representation seats [1][3] - Over 1,200 candidates are expected to participate, with Prime Minister Kishi Sanae emphasizing that if the ruling coalition does not secure a majority, she will resign [1][3] - The election is criticized by public opinion due to poor weather conditions and insufficient reasons for the early dissolution of the House [1][4] Group 2 - The ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party is projected to potentially secure a majority, with some media suggesting they could achieve over 300 seats [3][4] - As of now, the LDP holds 196 seats, which is below the 233-seat majority threshold, and the coalition's stability is uncertain [3][4] Group 3 - The Engel coefficient, indicating the proportion of food expenditure in household consumption, has reached 28.6%, the highest since 1981, due to rising food prices [1][5] - Various political parties are proposing measures to address high prices, with the LDP suggesting a temporary suspension of the 8% food consumption tax [5][6] - The opposition party, "Center Reform Party," advocates for a zero food consumption tax policy, while other parties propose broader tax reductions [5][6] Group 4 - The election is also influenced by the "black money" scandal, which has previously impacted the LDP's performance in elections, with 37 candidates linked to the scandal [4][6] - The weather conditions, including heavy snowfall, are expected to affect voter turnout, particularly among the elderly [4][6] Group 5 - The foreign labor policy is a significant topic in the election, with the LDP advocating for stricter controls, while other parties promote multicultural coexistence [6] - As of January 2025, the number of foreign workers in Japan reached a record 2.57 million, marking an 11.7% increase from the previous year [6]