World News
Japan PM Sanae Takaichi dissolves Parliament, calls snap election for February 8
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Friday dissolved the House of Representatives and called a snap general election for February 8, aiming to seek a direct public mandate for her economic and national security agenda, Kyodo News reported.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Friday dissolved the House of Representatives and called a snap general election for February 8, aiming to seek a direct public mandate for her economic and national security agenda, Kyodo News reported.
Takaichi’s cabinet approved the dissolution of the 465-member lower house in the early hours of the regular parliamentary session — the first time in nearly 60 years that Parliament has been dissolved at the start of a session. The move launches a short and intense election campaign, with just 16 days between dissolution and polling, the shortest interval in Japan’s postwar history.
Although the current term of lawmakers was due to expire in 2028, Takaichi said she had yet to receive a direct popular endorsement for her leadership since taking office in October. She became prime minister the same month her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) formed a new ruling coalition with the Japan Innovation Party.
New opposition bloc enters the fray
The election will feature a newly formed opposition grouping — the Centrist Reform Alliance, launched jointly by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Komeito party, which had been the LDP’s coalition partner for 26 years.
Economic issues are expected to dominate the campaign, particularly rising living costs. Both the ruling coalition and opposition have floated easing consumption tax on food: the government is considering a temporary suspension, while the opposition alliance proposes completely scrapping the tax on food items. Identifying alternative revenue sources will be a key point of debate.
Political funding and ethics are also likely to be significant topics, following a slush-fund scandal that has dogged the LDP in recent years. Other issues expected to feature in election debates include foreign residents and tourism.
Parliamentary dynamics and criticism
Despite relatively high approval ratings for Takaichi’s Cabinet, the ruling coalition holds only a narrow majority in the House of Representatives and remains a minority in the House of Councillors, forcing reliance on opposition cooperation to pass legislation.
Opposition parties have criticised Takaichi’s decision to call an early election before Parliament could enact the initial budget for fiscal 2026, accusing her of prioritising political interests over governance.
The previous general election for the House of Representatives was held in October 2024.
