'Let the sovereign people decide': Japan headed for snap polls as PM announces parliament dissolution on Friday

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday announced she will dissolve parliament this week and call a snap general election.

Speaking at a news conference in Tokyo, Takaichi confirmed that the lower house of parliament would be dissolved later this month, setting the stage for a fast-paced election campaign.

“Today, I, as the Prime Minister, have decided to dissolve the lower house on January 23,” she told reporters.

The decision comes amid mounting political pressure and growing debate over the direction of her leadership, even as Takaichi argues that a clear public endorsement is needed to move Japan forward during a time of economic uncertainty and regional security challenges.

‘Let the people decide’

Framing the snap election as a democratic test of her leadership, Takaichi said she wants voters to directly judge whether she deserves to continue as prime minister.

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“Is Sanae Takaichi fit to be Prime Minister? I wanted to ask the sovereign people to decide,” she said at the press conference.

By dissolving the lower house early, Takaichi is seeking a stronger mandate that could help her overcome resistance within parliament and her own party.

High stakes for Takaichi government

Takaichi, Japan’s first woman prime minister, has promised sweeping reforms, including economic restructuring, defence modernisation and a more assertive regional posture. However, critics argue that her agenda risks deepening political divisions at home and straining relations abroad.

Calling a snap election carries risks. If voters back her party, Takaichi could gain the political capital needed to fast-track legislation and consolidate her authority. A weaker showing, however, could embolden rivals and destabilise her government at a crucial moment.

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Opposition parties have accused the prime minister of using the dissolution to sidestep parliamentary scrutiny, arguing that unresolved policy questions should be debated in the legislature rather than pushed into an election campaign.

With the dissolution set for January 23, Japan is expected to enter campaign mode almost immediately.