Japan Heads for Snap Polls as PM Sanae Takaichi Dissolves Parliament Just Months After Taking Office

Japan is set for early national elections after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the country’s lower house barely three months into her tenure. The sudden move, announced on Friday, has triggered a fast-paced political calendar, with voters scheduled to head to the polls on February 8.

The formal dissolution was declared in parliament by Speaker Fukushiro Nukaga, who read out the official proclamation bringing the current term of the lower house to an end. With this step, Japan enters a brief but intense election phase, marked by a campaign period lasting less than two weeks.

Political observers view the decision as a calculated gamble by Takaichi, who became Japan’s first woman prime minister in October. Riding high on public approval ratings reported to be around 70 percent, she appears to be seeking a fresh mandate before political momentum fades. Her ruling alliance, however, remains vulnerable. The coalition between the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party (JIP) holds only a narrow edge in the lower house and lacks control of the upper chamber.

Opposition parties were quick to criticise the move, accusing the prime minister of prioritising political advantage over parliamentary stability. They argue that dissolving the house so early undermines democratic continuity, especially at a time of mounting domestic and international challenges.

The snap election comes amid growing regional uncertainty. Tensions with China have intensified following Takaichi’s remarks on Japan’s possible response to a conflict involving Taiwan. At the same time, Tokyo faces increasing pressure from Washington on defence spending and arms procurement, adding to the strategic weight of the upcoming vote.

Takaichi’s political rise has been decades in the making. Born in Nara Prefecture in 1961, she entered public life after working in the United States during the 1980s, where she developed strong views on national sovereignty and self-defence. After early electoral setbacks, she went on to build a long parliamentary career, holding key ministerial portfolios related to internal affairs, economic security, and industry.