Overview
- Kyodo reports speculation that the lower house could be dissolved at the opening of the ordinary session on Jan. 23.
- Possible timelines discussed include campaigning from Jan. 27 or Feb. 3, with voting on Feb. 8 or Feb. 15.
- Kyodo says the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its Japan Innovation Party partner hold a razor-thin lower-house majority that would vanish with a single lost seat.
- The Daily Times, citing Yomiuri, says the move would seek to capitalize on Sanae Takaichi’s strong approval since taking office in October.
- The yen weakened after reports of a potential early vote, and the opposition warned that an immediate election could jeopardize passage of the fiscal 2026 budget.