EXCLUSIVE: SDP Likely to Delay Leadership Race in Feb.

Tokyo, Jan. 13 (Jiji Press)–The Social Democratic Party is considering postponing its leadership election scheduled for February due to the possibility of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolving the House of Representatives for a snap general election, informed sources told Jiji Press on Tuesday. If the all-important lower chamber of the Diet, the country’s parliament, were dissolved at the start of the ordinary Diet session to be convened on Jan. 23, the SDP leadership election would likely overlap with the possible snap election. The SDP also plans to put off the party convention in March, at which a new leader is due to officially take office, according to party officials. In December, the SDP decided to begin the official campaign period for its leadership race on Jan. 23 and hold the vote on Feb. 7-8, with the votes to be counted on Feb. 9. Meanwhile, the possible lower house election may be held on Feb. 8 or Feb. 15. SDP leader Mizuho Fukushima has expressed her intention to run in the party’s leadership election, saying, “I want to make preparations.” SDP deputy leaders LaSalle Ishii and Yuko Otsubaki may also run in the party leadership election. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]