Japan’s trailblazing female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will disband parliament this Friday, triggering a general election on 8 February to solidify her leadership after only three months in power.
It was an “extremely weighty decision that would determine Japan’s course together with the people,” Takaichi told a news conference. She urged voters to entrust her with running Japan.
The vote renews all 465 seats in the powerful lower house, the House of Representatives. Since October, Takaichi’s cabinet has held approval ratings of 60 to 80 per cent in key polls.
Her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) commands 199 seats, including three from independents, for the largest bloc. Its pact with the Japan Innovation Party maintains a slim majority.
Dubbed the “Iron Lady” for her admiration of Margaret Thatcher and ties to Shinzo Abe, the Nara-born leader has backed a record nine trillion yen defence budget amid China tensions.
Beijing condemned her November suggestion that Japan might defend Taiwan, plunging relations to a decade low. She has instead deepened U.S. ties, sealing a rare earths deal with President Donald Trump last October.
Takaichi favours bold public spending to fuel growth, reviving Abenomics tactics. Yet risks abound. As Japan’s fourth premier in five years, her predecessor Shigeru Ishiba’s snap poll cost the LDP its majority.
A new opposition, the Centrist Reform Alliance from the Constitutional Democratic Party and ex-LDP ally Komeito, now threatens her in the race.