US EditionJapan’s Takaichi plans to dissolve lower house to set up an early snap election
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aims to strengthen her coalition and secure a clearer majority to pass key fiscal and defense policies amid rising diplomatic tensions with China.
- Later this month the Liberal Democratic Party plans to dissolve the Lower House of Japan's National Diet, with a snap election likely in February, NHK reports.
- With a slim parliamentary majority, party strategists believe the LDP and Japan Innovation Party hold 230 seats, and with three independents, command a slim majority in the 465-seat Lower House.
- The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has told prefectural election boards to prepare as two schedules—Jan. 27 and Feb. 3 announcements with Feb. 8 and Feb. 15 voting—emerge, prompting accelerated party preparations.
- Before deciding, Takaichi may weigh the snap poll's impact on fiscal 2026 budget deliberations and public opinion, while opposition leaders including Noda Yoshihiko vow to oust the coalition, seeking Komeito's alliance.
- Takaichi's diplomatic schedule this week is influencing timing, with summit talks in Nara and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Thursday–Saturday visit shaping the announcement.
121 Articles
121 Articles
Japanese PM Takaichi Signals Snap Election as Coalition Seeks Fresh Mandate
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to dissolve the lower house of parliament soon after it convenes later this month, setting the stage for a snap general election, a senior official from the ruling party said on Jan. 14. Shunichi Suzuki, secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), told reporters that Takaichi had informed him and other top party officials of her intention to dissolve the House of Representatives so…
Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi plans to dissolve Parliament and call early election to strengthen coalition
Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to dissolve Parliament's lower house this month for a snap election, seeking voter backing while approval ratings remain at 70%.
On the 14th, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (President of the Liberal Democratic Party) informed ruling party officials of her intention to dissolve the House of Representatives at the start of the regular Diet session convening on the 23rd, and preparations for a general election are now in full swing. There are two weeks until the election day, which is expected to be as early as February 8th, after the dissolution...
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