Overview
- Kyodo reports that a plan to dissolve the lower house at the start of the Jan. 23 Diet session was conveyed to a senior Liberal Democratic Party member, pointing to a February general election.
- The Internal Affairs Ministry has told local election commissions to start preparations for a nationwide vote.
- Media outline two potential timetables if dissolution proceeds: a Jan. 27 campaign start with Feb. 8 voting or a Feb. 3 start with Feb. 15 voting, creating an unusually short campaign.
- Komeito and opposition leaders warn of delays to debate and passage of the fiscal 2026 budget, with the Democratic Party for the People cautioning it could withhold support tied to an income tax agreement.
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has not publicly confirmed the plan, and the timing of any announcement is expected to account for meetings with South Korea’s Lee Jae-myung and a visit by Italy’s Giorgia Meloni.