Takaichi to Inform LDP Soon of Intention to Dissolve Lower House

Tokyo, Jan. 14 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering informing senior officials of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Wednesday afternoon of her intention to dissolve the House of Representatives for a snap general election, informed sources said. The all-important lower chamber of the Diet, the country’s parliament, is likely to be dissolved at the start of the ordinary Diet session on Jan. 23, the sources said. According to LDP officials, the official campaign period for the expected general election is seen beginning Jan. 27, with the voting date likely to be set for Feb. 8. Takaichi visited the Horyuji temple in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, together with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Wednesday morning. After returning to Tokyo in the afternoon, Takaichi is expected to convey her plan to dissolve the Lower House to LDP executives as well as senior officials of the party’s coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]