PM Takaichi dissolves parliament

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends the House of Representatives plenary session at the Diet in Tokyo on January 23, 2026. Takaichi dissolved parliament ahead of a snap election on February 8, counting on her cabinet's high poll numbers to steer her otherwise unpopular ruling party to victory. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP)

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved parliament yesterday ahead of a snap election on Feb 8, counting on her Cabinet’s high poll numbers to steer her otherwise unpopular ruling party to victory.

The country’s first woman premier had announced her intentions on Monday, seeking public backing for measures to shield households from rising living costs and increase spending on defence.