RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Japanese citizens living in Surabaya, East Java, and surrounding regions will be able to participate in Japan’s lower house elections ahead of the nationwide vote, as the Japanese Consulate in Surabaya opens polling from January 28 to February 1, 2026. 

The Japanese Consulate General in Surabaya has announced its readiness to facilitate the voting, ensuring that Japanese citizens living within its jurisdiction can exercise their democratic rights.

Balloting is scheduled to take place at the Consulate General’s office in Surabaya. Consul General Takonai Susumu emphasized that all Japanese citizens, including those residing abroad, are entitled to vote. 

“Every Japanese citizen, including those living overseas, has the right to cast their ballot, and the election will be conducted at our office in Surabaya starting January 28, 2026,” Takonai told reporters in Surabaya on Monday, January 26, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Takonai said that more than 700 Japanese nationals are currently registered as residents within the consulate’s jurisdiction, which covers East Java, East Kalimantan, North Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan. However, he noted that the number of actual voters is expected to be lower, as the figure includes children who are not eligible to vote.

For this election, Japan’s diplomatic missions in Indonesia - including the Embassy in Jakarta, the Consulates General in Surabaya, Medan, and Denpasar, as well as the Consular Office in Makassar - will serve as facilitators, enabling Japanese citizens across the country to participate.

“In addition to voting in person at the Consulate General in Surabaya, eligible citizens may also send their ballots to us by post,” Takonai added.

The announcement follows Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s decision on Friday, January 23, to dissolve the lower house of Japan’s bicameral parliament. The dissolution paves the way for a general election scheduled for February 8, 2026, with the campaign period beginning January 27. ***