US EditionJapan’s PM Takaichi Dissolves Lower House for February 8 Snap Election
Prime Minister Takaichi seeks voter approval for tax cuts, higher defense spending, and a record 122.3 trillion-yen budget amid party scandals and economic challenges.
- On Jan 23, 2026, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the Lower House of Parliament in Tokyo, setting a snap election for Feb 8 as the speaker read a formal dissolution letter and lawmakers shouted "banzai".
- Seeking a clearer mandate, Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan, called the vote to seek support for a two-year sales tax cut on food and higher defence spending, leveraging about 70% approval.
- Markets reacted sharply as investors and bond traders pushed Japanese government bond yields higher after the cabinet approved a record 122.3-trillion-yen budget for April 2026.
- The dissolution triggers a 12-day campaign for the 465-member lower house starting Tuesday, while the Constitutional Democratic Party and Komeito warn the delay holds up a budget vote and form an alliance to challenge Takaichi's ruling coalition.
- Amid rising regional tensions, Takaichi's pro‑Taiwan remarks have increased animosity with China while U.S. President Donald Trump urges higher defence spending, and about 70% support among under-30 voters may be decisive, Mizuho Research & Technologies said.
145 Articles
145 Articles
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Economic Security of Japan Under Sanae Takaichi
Economic Security of Japan Under Sanae Takaichi acabral-sanche… Fri, 01/23/2026 - 10:28 SVG Podcast Jan 23, 2026 Prof G Markets Economic Security of Japan Under Sanae Takaichi William Chou Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Japan Chair William Chou Podcast Caption (Screenshot via YouTube) Toggle Table of Contents Contents Contents Share to Twitter Twitter Share to Facebook Facebook Share to LinkedIn LinkedIn Share to E-mail E-mail P…
The early elections for the Lower House of the Japanese Diet (the House of Representatives, is the one with more power than the Upper House, or the Chamber of Councillors), organized more or less as a surprise by the first Japanese minister Takaichi Sanae, are scheduled on February 8th. This is the news of the beginning of the most important week, followed by the formation of a new opposition party, composed of Komeito (Soka Gakkai and former al…
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