Japan calls early election after three months of Takaichi government in Japan

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the dissolution of Parliament and the calling of early elections for February 8, just three months after taking office. The campaign starts on January 27th.

The anticipation of the election is a political bet by Takaichi to convert his personal popularity into a stable parliamentary majority, amid the erosion of the Liberal Democratic Party (PLD) and a scenario of growing geopolitical tension in East Asia.

The move comes as the Japanese government deepens strategic alignment with the United States and faces deteriorating relations with China, following statements by the prime minister about Taiwan and the expansion of the Japanese military budget. Beijing reacted with criticism and diplomatic measures, worsening the historic rivalry between the two countries.

Despite the high approval of the head of government, the PLD governs with a fragile majority and faces a reorganized opposition. The early election is expected to act as a plebiscite on the militarist and pro-Washington agenda of the new Japanese government.