Japan's First Female PM Calls Snap Election Amid Regional Tensions
Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has dissolved parliament's lower house, triggering a snap election scheduled for February 8 in a calculated move to capitalise on strong approval ratings after just three months in office.
The dissolution paves the way for a 12-day campaign period, officially beginning Tuesday, as Japan's first female leader seeks to secure a governing majority for her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) amid mounting regional pressures and domestic challenges.
Strategic Timing Despite Budget Delays
Ms Takaichi's decision to call early elections comes despite criticism from opposition leaders who argue the move will delay parliamentary approval of crucial budget measures aimed at addressing Japan's struggling economy and rising consumer prices.
"I believe that the only option is for the people, as sovereign citizens, to decide whether Sanae Takaichi should be prime minister," she declared at Monday's news conference. "I'm staking my career as prime minister on it."
The prime minister currently enjoys approval ratings of approximately 70 per cent, a significant political asset as she attempts to rebuild the LDP's position following major electoral losses and corruption scandals in recent years.
Regional Security Challenges Mount
The election comes as Japan faces escalating tensions with China following Ms Takaichi's remarks suggesting potential Japanese involvement should Beijing take military action against Taiwan. China has responded with increased economic and diplomatic pressure.
Simultaneously, US President Donald Trump has pressed Japan to increase defence spending as Washington and Beijing compete for military superiority in the Indo-Pacific region. Ms Takaichi has pledged to revise security and defence policies by December, including eliminating arms export restrictions to develop Japan's defence industry.
New Coalition Dynamics
The political landscape has shifted significantly with Ms Takaichi forming a new coalition partnership with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party (JIP) after the LDP's traditional ally Komeito withdrew over ideological differences and corruption concerns.
Komeito has since joined the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party to form the Centrist Reform Alliance, promising "people-first politics" and a more inclusive society. However, polling for the new alliance remains unpromising, and opposition parties continue to appear too fragmented to pose a serious electoral threat.
Economic and Immigration Focus
Ms Takaichi's campaign strategy centres on economic recovery measures, including support for low-income households and addressing stagnant wages. The LDP has also proposed tougher immigration policies, including new requirements for foreign property owners and caps on foreign residents, responding to growing anti-foreign sentiment.
The hardline conservative leader seeks to differentiate herself from her centrist predecessor Shigeru Ishiba, emphasising fiscal spending, military expansion, and stricter immigration controls to make Japan "strong and prosperous."
Electoral Mathematics
The LDP and its previous coalition held only a slim majority in the 465-member lower house following 2024 electoral losses. Without an upper house majority, the government has relied on opposition support to advance its legislative agenda.
Ms Takaichi's gamble on early elections represents an attempt to secure a clearer mandate for her conservative agenda while her personal popularity remains high, despite the LDP's institutional challenges stemming from corruption scandals and controversial religious affiliations.