Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi plans to dissolve parliament and call early elections
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi intends to dissolve Japan's lower house next week and hold elections February 8 to secure a stronger parliamentary majority.
7 hrs ago
Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to dissolve parliament next week and call early legislative elections, according to Shunichi Suzuki, secretary-general of her Liberal Democratic Party, on Wednesday.
Two ruling coalition lawmakers told Reuters on condition of anonymity that Takaichi is considering holding the election on February 8. Suzuki said after meeting with Takaichi that "we need to seek a new mandate." He added that Takaichi will detail her plans on Monday.
Takaichi, who became Japan's first female prime minister in October, has maintained cabinet approval ratings near 70 percent according to recent polling. Despite this popularity, her ruling coalition holds only a narrow majority in the lower house of parliament, which has hindered advancement of her political agenda.
The strategy aims to secure popular backing for an ambitious public spending plan that has caused concern in financial markets. Takaichi seeks to implement measures against inflation while capitalizing on public support for her government.
The Nikkei Shimbun reported that Takaichi will inform senior Liberal Democratic Party leaders of her intention to dissolve the lower house on January 23, citing anonymous sources from the government and party.
The early election would allow Takaichi to pursue her policy agenda with a stronger parliamentary position. Her cabinet's approval rating of approximately 70 percent provides a foundation for the electoral strategy, though her involvement in a diplomatic crisis has also been noted by observers.