Several major Japanese media outlets, including Nikkei Shimbun and NHK, report that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to inform leaders of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and coalition partner the Japan Innovation Party on Wednesday evening about her decision to dissolve the House of Representatives and call a snap general election.
The Nikkei newspaper, citing government and LDP sources, reports that Takaichi will dissolve parliament on 23 January, the normal opening day of the parliamentary session, potentially leading to an election on 8 February.
Japan's government-run NHK television reports that Takaichi is coordinating meetings with senior officials to explain her plan. TV Asahi states that meetings with key LDP figures and members of the Japan Innovation Party coalition are scheduled for Wednesday evening (14 Jan).
Since becoming Japan's first female prime minister in October, Takaichi's cabinet has enjoyed public approval ratings close to 70 percent. However, her government currently holds only a slim majority in the lower house, limiting its ability to advance key policy agendas. The decision for a snap election is seen as a strategy to expand parliamentary seats while popularity remains high.
It is expected that Takaichi will announce the dissolution of parliament on 23 January 2026, the start of the ordinary parliamentary session, with a likely election date of 8 February. The tight scheduling aims to minimize disruption to debates on the record 122.3 trillion yen 2026 budget, which she has promised to push forward to tackle inflation and stimulate Japan's economy, the world's fourth largest.
Beyond economic issues, increasing parliamentary seats would enable Takaichi to pursue a more proactive fiscal policy and tougher security measures, especially regarding deteriorating relations with China after she indicated in November that Japan might militarily intervene if China attacks Taiwan.
However, government spokesman Minoru Kihara declined to comment on these reports, stating only that "the decision on this matter is solely the prime minister's prerogative."
/sourceAFP