Overview
- Japanese media report that Sanae Takaichi is considering dissolving the lower house for a vote in the first half of February, with February 8 and February 15 under discussion.
- No formal decision to dissolve the chamber has been announced.
- The Liberal Democratic Party’s alignment with Ishin is a few seats short of a lower-house majority following Komeito’s withdrawal.
- Recent polling from Asahi shows Takaichi’s approval near 68 percent, providing a political incentive to call an early vote.
- The dollar strengthened against the yen after the reports, as investors assessed political and policy risks including strained ties with China over her Taiwan-related remarks.