Japan’s PM plans snap election, party official says

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to dissolve parliament and call early general elections, the ruling party’s general secretary said.

A source with knowledge of the matter said that Takaichi considered the election date to be February 8, in line with previous reports by local media.

“We need to apply for a new post,” Liberal Democratic Party general secretary Shunichi Suzuki told reporters after meeting Takaichi on Wednesday.

Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, has been trying to capitalize on growing public support for her government since taking office in October.

Suzuki said the vote would allow voters to decide on the LDP’s new coalition with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party, known as Ishin, after Takaichi cuts ties with long-standing liberal partner Komeito in 2025.

“One reason for the dissolution of parliament is that the previous election was held during the LDP-Komeito government; the people have not yet made a decision on the change in our coalition partner,” Suzuki said. he said.

Takaichi said he would announce election plans at a media conference on Monday.

Suzuki said the vote would also offer a chance to test public appetite for plans to increase government spending to stimulate growth and increase defense spending under a revised national security strategy.

News last week that Takaichi was considering an early survey triggered a sell-off in Japan’s yen and government bonds as investors fretted about how one of the world’s most indebted advanced economies would finance its fiscal expansion plans.

The news also comes amid the worst diplomatic dispute with powerful neighbor China in more than a decade, triggered by Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan, and ahead of a planned visit to Washington to meet President Donald Trump in the second half of 2026.

Yomiuri newspaper said Takaichi was considering an interim spending plan as the timing of the vote could make it difficult for parliament to pass the 2026 budget by the end of March of the current fiscal year.