Tokyo, 19 Jan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday announced the dissolution of the House of Representatives, clearing the way for a snap general election on the opening day of the ordinary Diet session, Kyodo News reported. 

The decision, taken on Friday, marks Takaichi’s first major electoral gamble since becoming Japan’s first woman prime minister on 21 October.

At a press conference, Takaichi said she would seek a fresh mandate and effectively staked her continuation in office on the election outcome. Ruling party leaders said voting is expected on 8 February, with the official campaign beginning 27 January.

The election will be the first test of the Liberal Democratic Party-led coalition formed a day earlier with the Japan Innovation Party. Takaichi aims to capitalise on strong cabinet approval ratings to secure support for what she calls a “responsible yet aggressive” fiscal policy approach.

The snap poll comes less than 18 months after the October 2024 lower house election. While Diet members serve four-year terms, Japan’s constitution allows early dissolution.

Opposition parties criticised the move as politically driven, delaying the fiscal 2026 budget.