Overview
- Takaichi informed LDP leaders she will dissolve the House of Representatives on January 23, with details due Monday and media pointing to a February 8 or 15 vote.
- Government and party leaders accelerated campaign preparations, with senior officials calling to seek a public mandate and restore political stability.
- The Constitutional Democratic Party and Komeito will campaign together as the Centrist Reform Alliance, positioning a coordinated centrist challenge.
- The election would be Japan’s first winter general vote in 36 years and comes after Komeito’s break from the LDP last October.
- The Nikkei 225 hit a record high on expectations that a Takaichi win would ease enactment of her "proactive" spending agenda, while officials said any budget delay would have limited impact due to a passed supplementary budget.