Tokyo, Japan – Less than three months into her tenure, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has indicated she may dissolve the lower house of parliament to hold snap elections, sources cited by Kyodo News reported on Tuesday.

The move could occur at the start of the regular Diet session on 23 January, or, according to other reports, as early as 17 January, with elections potentially scheduled for 8 or 15 February.

Motivation for Early Polls

Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, is seeking to strengthen the parliamentary majority of her ruling coalition—the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party.

• A larger majority would help her push forward a more proactive fiscal agenda and expand intelligence and security capabilities.
• The LDP hopes to regain dominance lost in the October 2024 general elections, when the party lost its majority under former PM Shigeru Ishiba, whose resignation paved the way for Takaichi’s historic election in October 2025.

Political Context

• Opposition coordination: Leaders of the Constitutional Democratic Party and Komeito are exploring ways to unite against Takaichi’s coalition in the event of snap polls.
• Economic concerns: Tamaki Yuichiro, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, warned that dissolving parliament before the new fiscal year budget is passed could sideline economic priorities.

Diplomatic and Market Implications

Takaichi hosted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in her hometown of Nara on Tuesday, discussing security and economic ties.

• Japan-China tensions have escalated since Takaichi suggested in November 2025 that Japan could intervene militarily if China attacked Taiwan, prompting China to restrict exports of dual-use and rare-earth materials to Japan.
• Tokyo’s stock market jumped more than 3% on speculation of snap elections, reflecting investor confidence in Takaichi’s strong approval ratings.

Takaichi has so far remained publicly noncommittal about calling early elections, but a clear mandate could also help resolve diplomatic deadlocks with China.

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Key Dates:

• Possible Diet dissolution: 17 or 23 January 2026
• Potential snap elections: 8 or 15 February 2026