Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has dissolved the lower house of parliament, paving the way for a snap general election on February 8.
– Takaichi’s Cabinet approved the dissolution of the 465-seat House of Representatives on Friday.
– A party or coalition needs at least 233 seats in the lower house of Japan’s bicameral parliament to elect a prime minister.
– This marks the first dissolution at the start of a regular session in 60 years.
– With the dissolution, a short campaign period for the election has effectively begun.
– Takaichi has justified the decision by stating the need to seek a direct public mandate for her premiership, which began in October 2025, and for the new ruling coalition formed that same month.
– The coalition, formed by the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party, holds a slim majority in the lower house and remains a minority in the House of Councillors.
– Opposition parties criticised her for calling an election before parliament’s enactment of an initial budget for fiscal 2026.
– The previous lower house election was held in October 2024.
https://www.trtworld.com/article/c213eb3f7657