Japan's political landscape is experiencing significant turbulence as Prime Minister Takaichi prepares to call a snap election while major regional leadership changes unfold in Osaka and Maebashi. For foreign residents, these developments signal potential shifts in both national and local governance that could affect daily life and policy priorities. According to NHK, Prime Minister Takaichi is coordinating meetings with ruling coalition leaders on January 14th to communicate her intention to dissolve the House of Representatives. The government has officially decided through a cabinet meeting to convene the ordinary Diet session on January 23rd, and widespread speculation suggests Takaichi will dissolve the lower house at the session's opening, triggering a general election. This anticipated snap election comes amid reports, covered by Livedoor News, that the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is circulating internal predictions of a major electoral victory. While such projections should be viewed cautiously, they indicate the ruling party's confidence in its current political positioning. The timing of this dissolution is strategic, occurring before the full Diet session gets underway, suggesting the government seeks a fresh mandate from voters. For expats living in Japan, national elections can influence immigration policy, international relations, economic strategies, and social programs. While foreign residents without Japanese citizenship cannot vote in national elections, the outcome will determine the composition of the Diet and potentially affect visa regulations, tax policies, and support systems for international residents. Previous elections have led to shifts in policies regarding highly skilled foreign workers, student visas, and permanent residency pathways. Simultaneously, major regional political changes are unfolding in Osaka, Japan's second-largest metropolitan area and home to a significant expat population. According to NHK, Osaka Governor Yoshimura and Osaka City Mayor Yokoyama have both decided to resign from their positions to seek a fresh mandate from voters. They plan to run again in the resulting double election, using the opportunity to gain public support for the controversial "Osaka Metropolis Plan" (Osaka-to構想). This regional restructuring proposal aims to reorganize Osaka's administrative framework, potentially transforming how the prefecture and city are governed. For foreign residents in the Osaka area, this could eventually affect local services, administrative procedures, and how regional policies are implemented. The double election will likely dominate local politics in coming weeks, with both leaders seeking voter approval for their vision of administrative reform. In Gunma Prefecture, former Maebashi Mayor Ogawa Akira has won reelection despite resigning previously over a scandal involving visits to hotels with a married male subordinate. According to NHK, Ogawa secured her second term in the election held on January 12th. This outcome demonstrates the complex nature of Japanese local politics, where voters sometimes prioritize policy performance over personal conduct controversies. The convergence of these political developments creates an unusually active period in Japanese governance. The national election, expected to occur within 40 days of the Diet dissolution per constitutional requirements, will likely take place in late February or early March 2026. Combined with the Osaka double election, Japan's political calendar is packed with significant electoral events. Foreign residents should monitor these developments, particularly if they live in affected areas or work in sectors sensitive to policy changes. While expats cannot directly participate in these elections, staying informed about political shifts helps in understanding potential changes to immigration policies, business regulations, and local government services. English-language news sources and embassy communications will provide updates as campaigns progress and results emerge. As Japan's political landscape shifts, the coming weeks will reveal whether Prime Minister Takaichi's gamble on a snap election pays off and whether Osaka's leaders receive the mandate they seek for administrative transformation.