Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has announced plans to dissolve parliament and hold a snap election scheduled for February 8, 2026. The decision follows her formal announcement on January 19, 2026, as she seeks to regain control of Japan’s legislative body after her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lost its parliamentary majority in the lower house.
Takaichi, who assumed office in October 2025, inherited a government where the LDP holds 199 seats out of 465 in the lower house and governs in coalition with the Japan Innovation Party. Her rise to leadership was initially hampered by opposition parties seeking political concessions ahead of her premiership. The snap election aims to restore the LDP’s majority, enabling the government to advance key legislative priorities including increased defense spending, economic growth initiatives, and responses to rising living costs—a concern cited by 45 percent of voters in recent polling as their top issue.
Prime Minister Takaichi has positioned herself as a strong advocate for national security amid regional tensions, particularly China’s escalating actions in the area. In her first major address after taking office, she stated: “It is a fact that unlawful activity and violation of rules by some foreigners are causing the sense of unease and unfairness among Japanese people,” adding, “The government will respond decisively to these activities. It’s not xenophobia.”
Opposition dynamics have shifted as the main opposition coalition formed the Centrist Reform Alliance, currently holding 172 seats in the lower house. Analysts suggest Takaichi’s move reflects her broader strategy to consolidate power and address pressing national challenges while navigating complex foreign relations.
