The Japanese Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, is considering dissolving Parliament and calling for elections in January, according to Japanese media. The dissolution could take place at the start of the regular Diet session, scheduled to begin on 23 January. In the event of dissolution, the campaign for the general elections could start on either 27 January or 3 February, with voting on 8 or 15 February. Takaichi has felt the need to dissolve the Diet due to the approval ratings of her government since she took office in October of last year, following the resignation of her predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba. Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party and its allies have a slim majority of one seat in the House of Representatives and are at a disadvantage in the House of Councillors. So far, Takaichi has dismissed the idea of holding early elections, emphasising the need to implement measures to address the effects of inflation and stagnant wages.
