Early Snap Election Speculation Emerges within Takaichi’s LDP

Tokyo, Jan. 10 (Jiji Press)–A view has emerged within Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may dissolve the House of Representatives at the beginning of the ordinary parliamentary session to be convened on Jan. 23 for a snap election, informed sources said Saturday. The prime minister apparently aims to strengthen the momentum for implementing her policy measures by winning the election for the all-important lower chamber of the Diet, the country’s parliament. As there are both positive and negative views within the LDP about dissolving the Lower House at an early date, Takaichi is expected to carefully assess the situation before making a final decision. Some in the LDP are speculating that a Lower House election will be held on Feb. 8 or Feb. 15, the sources said. If a Lower House election is held, it would be the first since October 2024, soon after the inauguration of the administration of then Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Takaichi’s immediate predecessor. At last year’s extraordinary Diet session, the ruling bloc of the LDP and the Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin no Kai) regained its majority in the House of Representatives, bringing its share in the 465-seat Lower House to 233 seats, after welcoming independent lawmakers. Still, the ruling camp remains short of a majority in the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of the Diet, facing instability in managing the government. There is a view within the government and the LDP that it is advantageous to fight an election as soon as possible, taking advantage of high public approval for the Takaichi administration. If the ruling camp is able to increase its presence in the Lower House, the prime minister could strengthen her grip on power. On the other hand, even if the ruling parties win a Lower House election, they are expected to remain a minority in the Upper House. Some ruling party members are cautious about dissolving the Lower House, saying it would delay the passage of the government’s fiscal 2026 budget bill, potentially undermining Takaichi’s focus on policy measures. “Ultimately, the prime minister will make a decision,” an LDP executive said. A decision will be made within days, an LDP source suggested. Speaking to reporters in the central Japan city of Kanazawa, JIP co-leader Fumitake Fujita said that he had not heard from the prime minister on the matter. “The prime minister has the exclusive authority to dissolve the Lower House,” he said, adding that his party will be ready for an election at any time. Yoshihiko Noda, head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, told reporters in the city of Chiba, east of Tokyo, that “it will be questioned whether creating a political vacuum to seek a mandate is the right approach.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]