Overview
- Kyodo reports she has informed senior Liberal Democratic Party officials of her plan, with a formal announcement expected soon.
- If dissolution occurs on Jan. 23, official campaigning could begin Jan. 27 or Feb. 3, with voting on Feb. 8 or Feb. 15.
- Japan’s Internal Affairs Ministry has directed prefectural election boards to prepare for a possible early vote.
- Officials caution that starting an election at the Diet’s opening would likely delay enactment of the fiscal 2026 budget beyond March.
- The ruling LDP–JIP bloc controls 233 of 465 seats in the Lower House, prompting opposition coordination that includes CDPJ–Komeito election cooperation.