In a decisive political maneuver, Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has formally dissolved the lower house of parliament, setting the stage for a snap election scheduled for February 8. This strategic move is widely seen as an effort to leverage her current popularity and strengthen the ruling party’s position, following significant electoral setbacks in recent years.

The dissolution affects the 465-member lower house, which previously saw the conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partners holding only a slim majority. The coalition has been dependent on securing support from opposition members to advance its legislative agenda, highlighting the precarious balance of power in Japan’s political landscape.

Takaichi, who made history by becoming Japan’s first female prime minister in October, expressed that this decision was made with the best interests of the Japanese people in mind. Her leadership marks a pivotal moment, offering a potential boost to the LDP’s prospects as they navigate this critical election period.

The announcement kicks off a 12-day campaign period, officially commencing on Tuesday, during which parties will vie for influence and voter support. This election presents an opportunity for Takaichi to solidify her administration’s footing and potentially reshape Japan’s political future.

Takaichi, who became Japan’s first female prime minister when she was elected by parliament in October, said the move was for the interest of Japanese people.

“I believe that the only option is for the people, as sovereign citizens, to decide whether Sanae Takaichi should be prime minister,” she told a news conference Monday when announcing plans for the election.

“I’m staking my career as prime minister (on it).”

Opposition criticises delay of economic policies

Despite only being in office for three months, Takaichi has seen a strong approval rating of about 70 per cent, with particularly high support from young people.

Her government enjoys around 90 per cent support among those under 30, according to a poll published at the end of December by the conservative Sankei Shimbun newspaper and Fuji Television.

As the snap election approaches, Takaichi told voters to judge her fiscal spending moves, further military build-up and tougher immigration policies to make Japan “strong and prosperous”.

However, opposition leaders have criticised Takaichi for delaying the passage of a budget needed to fund key economic measures.

Japan has faced a surge in living costs and a chronically weak yen that has made imports more expensive.

“It’s not clear if high public support for the Takaichi cabinet will actually lead to support of the LDP,” Hidehiro Yamamoto, a politics professor at the University of Tsukuba, told the Agence France-Presse news agency.

“What the public are concerned about is measures to address inflation.”

Public discontent over rising prices largely contributed to the downfall of Shigeru Ishiba, whom Takaichi succeeded in October.

Although Takaichi has made her party more appealing to young voters, many traditional LDP voters have also shifted to emerging far-right populist opposition parties, such as the anti-globalist Sanseito.

Meanwhile, Japan faces escalating tensions with China, after Takaichi made remarks suggesting that Japan could become involved if China takes military action against Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its own.

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