Sanae Takaichi to Dissolve Lower House and Call Feb. 8 Snap Election

Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s prime minister, said in Tokyo that she will dissolve the House of Representatives when it convenes for its regular session on Friday and will hold a snap parliamentary election on Feb. 8. Ms. Takaichi, the first woman to lead Japan, called the early vote about three months into her tenure and said she wanted the people to decide “whether or not Sanae Takaichi should be prime minister.” The decision, she said, is meant to strengthen her power and revive the sagging fortunes of the Liberal Democratic Party.

The move carries risks and rewards: she could lose critical seats and see her ability to advance priorities weakened, and a major L.D.P. defeat could cost her the premiership, though analysts said that outcome was unlikely. Supporters say a strong result could reinvigorate the party and give it the seats needed to push through her economic and security agenda; Mireya Solís of the Brookings Institution said Ms.

Takaichi “wants to seize the momentum and strengthen her hand at home and on foreign policy,” while warning she could emerge weaker if she fails. The snap election comes amid a range of challenges for Japan: the L.D.P. is a minority in both houses after recent defeats and a falling out with coalition partner Komeito, it has formed an alliance with the Japan Innovation Party to continue governing, and China has imposed economic reprisals said to be aimed at Ms.

Takaichi over her support for Taiwan.

Key Topics

Politics, Sanae Takaichi, Japan, Snap Election, Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito