Japan PM Takaichi considering snap election in February: Report

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering calling a snap parliamentary election in the first half of February, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Friday, citing government sources.

According to the report, the move would enable Takaichi — Japan’s first female prime minister — to capitalise on strong approval ratings she has maintained since taking office in October.

Possible polling dates under consideration include February 8 and February 15.

Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) currently governs in coalition with the right-wing Ishin party, but the alliance falls a few seats short of securing a majority in the lower house. A snap election could help the coalition strengthen its position in parliament.

Financial markets reacted swiftly to the report, with the dollar rising against the yen.

Takaichi’s tenure has been marked by heightened tensions with China, particularly following comments made late last year in which she said a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan could pose an existential threat to Japan.

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China, which claims the democratically governed island as its territory — a claim rejected by Taipei — responded sharply, triggering the most serious diplomatic dispute between the two countries in more than a decade.

Since then, Beijing has urged its citizens to avoid travel to Japan, cancelled bilateral meetings and events, and imposed restrictions on exports of dual-use items for Japan’s military, among other measures.

With inputs from agencies