Politics Japan heads for new elections
Japan's national conservative Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi wants to secure her power through early elections. She has signaled to representatives of her government camp that she will dissolve the lower house at the beginning of this year's parliamentary session on 23 January for this purpose, Japanese media reported.
14.01.2026, 12:37
SDA
She is expected to announce this on Monday. In anticipation of a victory for the government camp in the election expected in February, the Tokyo stock exchange closed at a record high. The markets are hoping that the aggressive financial policy will be strengthened.
The 64-year-old Takaichi was only elected her country's first female head of government at the end of October. As leader of the ruling LDP, she formed an alliance with the conservative-neoliberal Ishin party after the Komeito party ended the coalition after 26 years due to a donation scandal involving the LDP.
Takaichi apparently wants to take advantage of the opportunity, as her cabinet is very popular. This raises hopes that an early election could improve her fragile political position, as the ruling coalition only has a wafer-thin majority in the lower house.
