Overview
- Kyodo reports the prime minister intends to dissolve the chamber at the start of the regular Diet session on Jan. 23, positioning Japan for a rare February general election.
- LDP Secretary-General Shunichi Suzuki told reporters Takaichi conveyed her intention to dissolve the Lower House soon, with specifics to be announced at a Jan. 19 news conference.
- The Yomiuri reports the government is leaning toward a Feb. 8 vote, with Feb. 15 also discussed, though the date has not been formally confirmed.
- The Internal Affairs Ministry has instructed local election commissions to begin preparations, and the compressed campaign window could be one of the shortest in the postwar era.
- Opposition parties and coalition partner Komeito warn an early vote could delay fiscal 2026 budget deliberations, as Takaichi also advances economic-security cooperation with South Korea following talks in Nara.