Tokyo, February 5, 2024 – Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the lower house of parliament Monday, triggering a snap election slated for February 8, a move widely seen as a gamble to capitalize on her recent surge in popularity.
Seeking a Mandate Amid Economic Concerns
The unexpected election call comes as Takaichi aims to solidify her position and possibly regain ground for the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) after recent electoral setbacks.
- Prime Minister Takaichi dissolved the lower house, setting the stage for a February 8 election.
- The move is largely viewed as an attempt to leverage Takaichi’s high approval ratings.
- The LDP currently holds a slim majority and faces challenges in the upper house.
- Opposition parties are criticizing the timing, citing delays in addressing economic issues.
takaichi, who became Japan’s first female prime minister when elected by parliament in October, framed the decision as being in the best interest of the Japanese people. “I believe that the only option is for the people,as sovereign citizens,to decide whether Sanae Takaichi should be prime minister,” she stated at a news conference Monday. “I’m staking my career as prime minister (on it).”
What are the key issues voters will be considering in this election? Rising living costs and a weakening yen are top of mind for many Japanese citizens, as highlighted by opposition leaders who have criticized Takaichi’s government for delaying the passage of a crucial economic budget.
The LDP and its coalition partners currently maintain a narrow majority in the 465-member lower house, but do not control the upper house, requiring them to secure support from opposition members to pass legislation. The dissolution initiates a 12-day campaign period officially beginning Tuesday.
Despite only three months in office, Takaichi enjoys a robust approval rating of approximately 70 percent, particularly among younger voters. A poll conducted in late December by the conservative Sankei Shimbun newspaper and Fuji Television revealed around 90 percent support for her government among those under 30.
As the election nears, Takaichi is appealing to voters by emphasizing her plans for fiscal spending, increased military investment, and stricter immigration policies, all aimed at bolstering Japan’s strength and prosperity. However, opposition figures argue that these policies have been slow to materialize.
“It’s not clear if high public support for the Takaichi cabinet will actually lead to support of the LDP,” noted hidehiro Yamamoto, a politics professor at the University of Tsukuba, in comments to Agence France-Presse. “What the public are concerned about is measures to address inflation.”
Public dissatisfaction with rising prices contributed to the previous prime minister, shigeru Ishiba’s, departure in October. While Takaichi has resonated with younger demographics, some conventional LDP voters have shifted their allegiance to emerging far-right populist parties, such as the anti-globalist Sanseito.
Adding to the complexities, Japan is navigating escalating tensions with China, fueled by Takaichi’s remarks suggesting potential Japanese involvement should China take military action against Taiwan, the self-governing island claimed by Beijing.
