ALBAWABA- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on Monday that she will dissolve the lower house of parliament on January 23, triggering a snap general election on February 8 in a bid to secure a renewed mandate for her economic and security agenda.
Calling the decision “extremely weighty,” Takaichi said the election would allow voters to “determine Japan’s course together with the people.” Campaigning is set to begin on January 27, with all 465 seats in the House of Representatives up for contest.
The vote will be Takaichi’s first national electoral test since she became Japan’s first female prime minister in October 2025, just three months ago.
Takaichi’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), governing in coalition with the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), currently holds a one-seat majority in the lower house after recent electoral setbacks weakened the LDP’s long-standing dominance.
The snap election is a calculated gamble aimed at capitalizing on Takaichi’s strong personal approval ratings, which have climbed as high as 78%, driven by public backing for her plans to boost public spending, cut taxes, and accelerate Japan’s defense buildup.
The move comes amid shifting political alliances and mounting regional tensions. Takaichi rose to power after the LDP’s coalition with Komeito collapsed last year, forcing her administration to rely on independents and the JIP to govern.
Since taking office, she has focused on economic stimulus and a tougher national security posture, citing rising friction with China over Taiwan and the need to strengthen Japan’s defense capabilities. The election could consolidate Takaichi’s authority within the LDP, which has ruled Japan almost uninterrupted since 1955.
However, it also carries risks, as opposition parties, led by the Constitutional Democratic Party, may attempt to rally voters around lingering concerns over past LDP scandals, cost-of-living pressures, and long-term economic stagnation.
At 64, Takaichi is a veteran conservative and a close ally of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, often compared to him for her hawkish defense views and assertive nationalism.
