Why Japan’s Takaichi is gambling on an early election?

January 14, 2026 6:34 PM

Why Japan’s Takaichi is gambling on an early election?

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to dissolve parliament's lower house next week, triggering a national election to decide all 465 seats in her first major election test since taking office in October. She will announce details of the election on Monday, ruling Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Shunichi Suzuki said. WHY CALL AN ELECTION NOW? Japan's first female premier inherited a battered government, with the LDP having lost its majority in both houses of parliament after...

Japan PM readies snap election, February 8 ballot eyed

January 14, 2026 5:54 PM

Japan PM readies snap election, February 8 ballot eyed

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to dissolve parliament next week and call a snap parliamentary election, the secretary general of her party said on Wednesday, as she seeks public backing for spending plans that have rattled financial markets. Takaichi is considering holding the election on February 8, two ruling party lawmakers said, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. "We need to seek a fresh mandate," Shunichi Suzuki, secretary general of the Liberal Democr...