Japanese PM intends to dissolve lower house for snap election: Kyodo

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told a senior ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) official that she intends to dissolve the House of Representatives when its regular Diet session convenes on Jan 23 and call a snap election, Kyodo News reported on Tuesday, citing a source familiar with the matter.

The report said the prime minister is poised to make an official announcement soon. If the lower house is dissolved, there are two possible schedules for a snap election: one with official campaigning starting on Jan 27 and voting on Feb 8, and another with campaigning beginning on Feb 3 and voting on Feb 15.

Public support for the Takaichi cabinet has remained at a relatively high level in recent opinion polls conducted by major media outlets, fueling calls within the LDP for an early dissolution and general election, the report said.

Since taking office, Takaichi has repeatedly stressed that livelihood-related issues, including measures to cope with high prices, should be given top priority.

However, if the lower house is dissolved at the outset of the ordinary Diet session, passage of the fiscal 2026 budget could be delayed until April or later, many Japanese media outlets warned.

In that case, the government may be forced to compile a provisional budget to maintain fiscal operations, a move expected to have a significant impact on people's livelihoods.

Takaichi's decision has drawn sustained criticism from within the LDP and from opposition parties, who argue that she has gone back on her earlier pledges and prioritized party interests over those of the public.