Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is preparing to dissolve the Lower House of Parliament and calling for early elections in February.
The secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has confirmed that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to dissolve Parliament next week to hold an early general election, tentatively scheduled for February 8, 2026.
According to Reuters, this move comes as Japan's first female prime minister seeks renewed voter confidence in her newly restructured ruling coalition, as well as to consolidate her position to implement key economic and foreign policies.
Speaking to reporters after meeting with Prime Minister Takaichi on January 14, LDP Secretary-General Shunichi Suzuki affirmed: "We need to seek a new mandate from the people."
Mr. Suzuki said this election is an opportunity for voters to decide on the new ruling coalition between the LDP and the conservative Ishin Party. Last year, Ms. Takaichi decided to end her long-standing partnership with her traditional coalition partner, the Komeito Party.
"One of the main reasons for dissolving Parliament is that the previous election was held under the LDP-Komeito coalition government. The public has not yet had the opportunity to express their views through the ballot box regarding the change in our coalition partner," Suzuki emphasized.
Prime Minister Takaichi is expected to officially announce the election plan at a press conference early next week. According to sources close to the matter, the voting date being considered is February 8, 2026. Takaichi is leveraging the growth in public support since taking office in October 2025 to consolidate her political base.
