Japan’s First Female Premier Announces Snap Elections for February

(MENAFN) Japan’s inaugural female Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, declared on Monday that early general elections will take place on Feb. 8, following the planned dissolution of the parliament later this week.

Speaking at a news conference in Tokyo, Takaichi stated that the parliament is set to be dissolved on Friday, coinciding with a scheduled legislative session. She assumed office last October as the nation’s 104th prime minister.

The elections were initially expected to occur no later than October 2028. In Japan’s bicameral parliament, a party or coalition must secure at least 233 seats out of the 465-member lower house to choose a prime minister.

“Should I be the prime minister, I would like to ask this to people,” Takaichi remarked in response to a question, signaling an impending contest with the united opposition.

She also suggested temporarily exempting food from the consumption tax for a period of two years. With the election dates now confirmed, the formal campaign will commence on Jan. 27.

The previous general elections for the lower house, which holds a four-year term, were conducted in October 2024, when Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lost its majority. Subsequently, the LDP also lost control of the upper house last July.

Takaichi, the first woman to hold Japan’s premiership, is currently leading a minority Cabinet, relying on support from the Japan Innovation Party since her election as LDP president last October.

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