Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering dissolving the House of Representatives for a snap election at the beginning of the regular Diet session set for January 23. This decision, revealed to senior members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, comes as Takaichi’s cabinet enjoys strong public approval, potentially bolstering her political position due to the ruling coalition’s narrow majority in the lower house, as reported by Japan’s Kyodo News.
During a meeting on Tuesday, the Japanese government informed senior members of the lower house and the House of Councillors about the upcoming ordinary Diet session scheduled for January 23. If the lower house is dissolved on January 23, the official campaign for the general election could commence on January 27 or February 3, with potential voting dates on February 9 or February 15, respectively. An announcement regarding this decision from Takaichi is expected soon, according to Kyodo News.
This prospective general election would mark the first under Takaichi’s leadership since she became Japan’s first female Prime Minister in October last year. Following the end of the coalition partnership between the Komeito party and the LDP due to a fundraising scandal, Takaichi formed an alliance with the Japan Innovation Party. Despite there being more than two years left in the current lower house members’ four-year term, Takaichi appears to be taking a risk to garner public support for her economic and security policies.
