Japan's prime minister calls snap election as approval ratings ride high

"Japan's prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has called a snap election as she attempts to capitalise on high approval ratings since becoming the country's first female prime minister three months ago. Takaichi, a conservative who is embroiled in a deepening dispute with China over the security of Taiwan, said on Monday she would dissolve the lower house of the Diet Japan's parliament on 23 January, with an election to follow on 8 February."

"Describing the decision to call as snap election as very difficult, Takaichi told reporters: I am putting my future as prime minister on the line. I want the people to decide directly whether they can entrust the management of the country to me. The next lower house poll was not due until October 2028, but Takaichi appears confident she can use her personal popularity to reverse the Liberal Democratic party's (LDP) recent run of poor election results."

"After making an encouraging start to her premiership during meetings with Donald Trump and the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, Takaichi later angered Beijing by suggesting Japan could become militarily involved in any conflict between China and Taiwan if its own security were threatened. Takaichi with Donald Trump during their visit to the USS George Washington aircraft carrier at a US base in Yokosuka, Japan. Photograph: Eugene Hoshiko/AP"

Sanae Takaichi dissolved the lower house of the Diet on 23 January and scheduled a general election for 8 February. She became Japan's first female prime minister three months ago and is capitalising on high approval ratings. She declared she is putting her future as prime minister on the line and asked voters to decide whether to entrust her with national management. The LDP lost lower and upper house majorities in recent elections, necessitating a fragile partnership with the Japan Innovation party. Takaichi has also heightened tensions with China by suggesting possible Japanese military involvement if Taiwan-related security is threatened.

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