In a dramatic move, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has dissolved the House of Representatives, paving the way for a snap general election on February 8. The decision, announced on Friday during the opening of a regular parliamentary session, marks a historic first in over six decades.
Takaichi’s cabinet approved the dissolution of the 465-seat lower house, thrusting Japan into election mode amid rising inflation concerns. Both ruling and opposition parties have zeroed in on skyrocketing food prices, proposing the suspension or outright elimination of consumption taxes on essentials to ease the burden on households.
The prime minister justified the early poll by stating she has yet to secure full public backing for her leadership since assuming office in October 2025. Her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) faces challenges, holding a slim majority in the lower house and minority status in the upper house, forcing reliance on opposition support for legislation.
Opposition leaders slammed the timing, accusing Takaichi of prioritizing political gamesmanship over passing the initial budget for the fiscal year starting April 2026. Scandals involving LDP slush funds have further eroded trust, making money in politics a hot-button issue alongside concerns over foreign residents and tourism.
Takaichi’s career is a trailblazing one. Entering politics in 1993 as an independent, she joined the LDP in 1996 and rose through the ranks under Shinzo Abe, serving in key roles including state minister for Okinawa and northern territories. She broke barriers as the first woman to chair the LDP Policy Research Council and held the record for longest-serving internal affairs minister.
From 2022 to 2024, she spearheaded economic security as minister. Elected LDP leader with 185 votes, defeating Shinjiro Koizumi in 2024, Takaichi now gambles on the ballot box to solidify her mandate. As campaign trails heat up, voters will decide if her bold strategy pays off or backfires amid economic headwinds.
