(260127) -- TOKYO, Jan. 27, 2026 (Xinhua) -- A protester holds a sign during a campaign event of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo, Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026. Campaigning for Japan's Feb. 8 snap general election officially kicked off across the country on Tuesday with all 465 seats in the House of Representatives up for contest. Of the 465 lower house seats, 289 will be elected from single-member districts and 176 through proportional representation in 11 regional blocs. National broadcaster NHK said more than 1,200 candidates are expected to run. National broadcaster NHK said more than 1,200 candidates are expected to run. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)