Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives on Friday, setting the stage for a snap election scheduled for February 8. This move kickstarted a brief campaign period for political parties before the polls, with discussions revolving around lifting the consumption tax on food to alleviate the financial strain on households amidst rising inflation, as reported by Japan’s Kyodo News.
Takaichi’s cabinet greenlit the dissolution of the 465-member chamber on Friday, marking the first instance in six decades where a lower house has been dissolved at the commencement of a regular session. The Prime Minister emphasized that the decision to call for elections stemmed from a lack of sufficient public backing for her premiership, which commenced in October last year.
The ruling coalition has proposed a temporary halt on the consumption tax for food items, while the opposition alliance has suggested eliminating this tax on all such products. Election discussions are expected to encompass various topics, including political funding, particularly in light of the recent slush fund scandal that impacted the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), as well as issues concerning foreign residents and tourists.
Despite Takaichi’s cabinet enjoying strong support, the ruling coalition holds a slim majority in the lower chamber and is a minority in the House of Councillors, necessitating cooperation from opposition lawmakers to pass legislation. Criticism has been directed at Takaichi by opposition parties for calling an election before the enactment of the initial budget for fiscal 2026, starting in April, accusing her of prioritizing political motives.
Takaichi, a former television anchor who entered politics in 1993, has been a prominent figure in the LDP, holding various ministerial roles over the years. Known for advocating conservative causes, she was elected as the LDP leader after securing 185 votes, defeating Shinjiro Shinjiro in a runoff. This followed a party leadership race where none of the five candidates obtained a majority in the initial round of voting.
