Japan’s snap elections: A reckless risk or calculated gamble?
Less than half a year into office and Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has called a snap election, dissolving the Lower House on Jan. 23 and sending voters to the polls on Feb. 8.
“I am putting my future as prime minister on this election,” Takaichi said at a press conference Monday, according to a Google translation of her remarks in Japanese.
“I would like the people to make a direct decision on whether they can entrust the management of the nation to Sanae Takaichi.”
The move comes despite the Lower House’s term running until October 2028, raising questions over why Takaichi chose to seek a fresh mandate so early.
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Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/20/japans-snap-elections-a-reckless-risk-or-calculated-gamble.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawPeNVJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe9T31DAJwj7KAMgZhuJDD0T89ZGRb-UYOBuVHUAh6aWWLzzEAlRqRL7SZpDM_aem_oGEGAOXuAJMLN79VF789WQ