Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the lower house of Parliament on Friday, paving the way for a Feb. 8 snap election.
The move is an attempt to capitalize on her popularity to help governing party regain ground after major losses in recent years, but will delay discussion and a vote on a budget that aims at boosting a struggling economy and addressing soaring prices.
Elected in October as Japan’s first female leader, Takaichi has been in office only three months, but she has seen strong approval ratings of about 70%.
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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026. AFP via Getty Images
Takaichi is also seeing rising animosity with China since she made pro-Taiwan remarks.
And US President Donald
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