Takaichi Intends to Call a Snap Election

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told the leaders of leading parties that she would dissolve the House of Representatives early in 2026 ordinary session of the Diet scheduled to be convoked on January 23rd. A general election to select new members of the House is supposed to be held on February 8th. Not only lawmakers of opposition parties but the leading parties are surprised with abrupt decision of Takaichi’s political maneuver.

Takaichi had a meeting with Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Shun-ichi Suzuki, and the leader of Japan Innovation Party (JIP), Hirofumi Yoshimura, on January 14th. In the meeting, Takaichi told those party leaders that she would dissolve the Lower House “at early time of the ordinary session.” If Takaichi is reelected the prime minister after the general election, she will need to pass FY2026 budget bill the Diet as early as possible. She is expected to dissolve the House on the first day of the session.

 

According to those party leaders, Takaichi raised some reasons for the dissolution which were that she had not gotten endorsement from the voters on the policy agreement between LDP and JIP. Suzuki explained that Takaichi required judgement on her agenda including economic policies for “responsible and proactive public finances” or revision of three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technologies. Takaichi is going to publicly announce her decision on January 19th.

 

Takaichi seems to have been considering the option of early snap election with only a few people around her. Although she gave no hint about it in her new year press conference on January 5th, she supposedly decided it on January 9th, the day when Yomiuri Shimbun reported the possibility of the dissolution. Asahi Shimbun reported that Takaichi adopted recommendation of a special advisor for the cabinet, Takaya Imai, who had been a close staff to former prime minister Shinzo Abe. There remains frustration in the LDP with leaving FY2026 budget behind.

 

Parties accelerated their preparation for election campaign. The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) and Komeito are discussing establishment of their new single party for the Lower House to cooperate each other. Some lawmakers in those parties have been colleagues of New Frontier Party (1993-1997) that took over administration from the LDP. If they formulate a cooperative structure in electoral districts, it will be a great threat for LDP candidates.

 

The leader of CDPJ, Yoshihiko Noda, announced that his party would not field any candidate in single-seat districts where incumbent lawmakers with Democratic Party for the People (DPP) are keeping seats. The DPP has not reached their goal of fielding 100 candidates in single-seat districts in next election. The leader of DPP, Yuichiro Tamaki, criticizes Takaichi’s decision for snap election without delivering economic stimulus plan included in FY2026 budget bill. It is focused whether the DPP join the cooperative framework of CDPJ and Komeito.

 

The Lower House had last election in October 2024. It is highly unusual that an election is held only after sixteen months from previous one. The Upper House had one in July 2025. Official procedure of national election is operated by local governments. Setting up voting stations, urging voters to vote or counting votes on the election day is done by local public workers. Local governments are tired of national election every day.

 

Even though a prime minister is regarded as having power to dissolve the Lower House, it is obvious that Takaichi’s decision was made for reinforcing her political basis. Even LDP lawmakers are skeptical about necessity of having a snap election in the head wind of leaving budget bill behind and quick solidarity of opposition parties.

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