Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is unlikely to be voted out in the lower house election commenced on Sunday as the opposition is still unable to offer any superior policies to address a pressing living crisis, said a Japanese expert.
Candidates for Japan's main opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), are urgently searching for votes. The LDP has provided just 12 days for campaigning before the election. They have been in power for 65 of the last 69 years. But commentators believe this is a rare opportunity for the CDP to make a comeback.
In September it made former prime minister, Yoshihiko Noda, its leader. He has been vocally criticizing the LDP's economic policies, saying the LDP rules only for corporate interests and working people do not see the benefits.
The LDP's goal is looking to remain in power. It is still receiving blowback from revelations of senior party members kicking back proceeds to junior members off-the-books. It is expecting to lose seats, and the single-party majority it held in the last parliament. Now party leaders are hoping to form a coalition government after Sunday's poll.
Political pundits believe voters are unhappy about the government's performance but are unlikely to vote-out the LDP this time.
"In most other democracies, voters, when they're unhappy about the economy, tend to vote for one of the opposition parties. That is not necessarily the case with Japan. I expect that, yes, some voters will turn away from the LDP due to the cost of living crisis, but it is not the case that any of the opposition parties has a particularly credible or widely recognized policies that are seen as superior to the LDP," said Willy You, professor of political science, Waseda University.
Even if it can't form a government, the CDP is expected to gain 40 or 50 seats in this election.
While that may not be enough to disrupt the government agenda, it could help the opposition present itself as an alternative government-in-waiting.
LDP unlikely to be voted out as opposition unable to offer superior policies: expert
As another dazzling China Media Group (CMG) Spring Festival Gala drew to a close on early Tuesday morning, sign language performers infused the closing song "Unforgettable Tonight" with heartfelt emotion, allowing viewers with disabilities to share in the celebration and experience every touching note alongside millions of families across China.
For four decades, the final moments of the gala have belonged to "Unforgettable Tonight." For generations, the eve of the Chinese New Year isn't complete until its familiar melody fills living rooms. "Unforgettable Tonight" is not just a song but a cherished tradition that carries the weight of a nation's shared memories and hopes.
Inside a modest rehearsal room, the magic of "barrier-free broadcasting" came alive, as the production team worked to ensure that the visually and hearing-impaired could experience the full energy and emotion of the gala, just like everyone else.
"It might look like sign language is just a set of gestures. But it's so much more. It includes facial expressions, the dynamics, and the tempo of each movement. Every detail expresses the rhythms, melodies, and emotions in the music. As you can see, for this year's 'Unforgettable Tonight' with a lighter tone, the performers made it look effortless, swaying gently as they signed. But if the style changes, so does our signing. We can make it powerful too," said Zhao Zhihui, head of barrier-free broadcasting for the gala.
Last year, the team was challenged by an operatic version of the song, and the sign language mirrored the grandeur: delivered with robust energy and the muscular grace of Chinese opera. But in 2026, the approach was intentionally more intimate. Performers strove to capture even the subtlest change in mood.
"When it was the opera version, our signing was powerful and vigorous, capturing the strength and depth of traditional Chinese opera. This year, we wanted every delicate shift on stage to be fully shared by our visually and hearing-impaired audiences," Zhao shared.
During rehearsal, as the melody of "Unforgettable Tonight" flowed through the room and interpreters began their own choreography, the song revealed a beauty beyond sound and lyrics. Their hands, faces, and movements became a new language of expression, resonating with everyone present.
"It's not really about singing a song. It's about channeling all the emotions we've built up through so many years of the Chinese New Year. The gestures required for this song are simple, just a few basic movements. But every time you perform them, it feels different. Especially the final sign, the emotions are always deeper. Because that moment carries several months of hard work. When you finally succeed and think about 'Unforgettable Tonight,' you realize, what is 'tonight'? It's actually the past months of preparation and effort, all leading to that one final moment when we share the Gala's wonderful performances with every single member of our audience," said Zhao.
Sign language performers bring fresh life to beloved song at Spring Festival Gala
