By Yukiko Ishikawa

8:00 JST, January 25, 2025

According to the Chinese zodiac, 2025 is the Year of the Snake. As snakes grow by shedding their skin, they are said to symbolize new beginnings. In politics, this symbolism has often proven apt.

In the Year of the Snake 2013, the Liberal Democratic Party won a landslide victory in the House of Councillors election, riding the momentum gained from retaking power from the Democratic Party of Japan in the House of Representatives election the previous year, thereby resolving the deadlock between the Diet’s two houses.

In the Year of the Snake 2001, the administration of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was born, and would go on to hold power for about five years.

In the Year of the Snake 1989, the era changed from Showa to Heisei, the consumption tax was introduced, and the LDP suffered a major defeat in the House of Councillors election.

All three of these past Years of the Snake can be called turbulent years that marked the beginnings of new systems.

There is a growing view that Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will launch a major political challenge in this Year of the Snake. He told the media at the end of last year, “There is no rule that House of Councillors and House of Representatives elections cannot be held at the same time.” Hinting that he might dissolve the House of Representatives if it passes a no-confidence motion against his Cabinet, he pointed to the possibility of holding simultaneous elections........

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