Sanae Takaichi achieved a historic milestone just a few months ago by , following her as head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, and she was subsequently chosen by the party to succeed him.
However, she now appears to be risking everything.
Takaichi from the LDP and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, indicating her intention to dissolve the House of Representatives—Japan’s legislative lower but more powerful chamber—to call a snap general election.
This move is a gamble to reassert her authority amidst years of declining LDP poll numbers and political influence. The objective, as stated by LDP secretary-general Shunichi Suzuki , is to “at the very least secure a majority” of seats in the 465-member chamber. The LDP-led coalition currently holds a slim majority of 233 seats, a position achieved after a similar unsuccessful attempt by Ishiba in 2024. The LDP also lost control of the upper house in the 2025 elections, as voters seemed to penalize the long-governing party for , leading to that further cast doubt on the LDP’s future electoral successes.
Japan is not scheduled for another general election until October 2028, but Suzuki indicated that Takaichi aims to dissolve the lower chamber “soon” after the legislative session commences on January 23. Some within Takaichi’s party have expressed reservations about the timing. The Japanese news outlet reported that the leader had not informed even senior LDP members of her decision to call an early election, and that “cautious voices” suggested the new government should first focus on its work before campaigning. Meanwhile, the opposition has contended that Takaichi’s snap election plan risks delaying the approval of Japan’s fiscal 2026 budget and the implementation of new price relief measures, despite her promises to address rising costs.
Takaichi is anticipated to officially announce the specifics and rationale for calling an early election next Monday, but opposition parties are already preparing to oppose her. The primary opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, is reportedly joining forces with Komeito, which was formerly part of the LDP coalition but withdrew after Takaichi, a figure on the far-right, became LDP leader.
However, experts suggest that Takaichi is relying on strong public support for political stability: to project herself as a leader who can govern for an extended period and move away from Japan’s pattern of frequent leadership changes. Takaichi is the fourth Prime Minister the LDP has appointed since Shinzo Abe, who led the party from late 2012 until his in September 2020.
“She’s hoping to rekindle that magic of the Abe era when the LDP ruled supreme,” Jeff Kingston, professor of Asian studies at Temple University’s Japan Campus, tells TIME.
Indeed, in her initial months, Takaichi has made a significant impression on the international stage, while —actions that have garnered her praise and domestically.
“She’s been very good at the optics of leadership, about managing the media, about creating a political spectacle that draws positive media attention,” Kingston observes, “but she hasn’t actually delivered anything substantial.”
“She’s seen as hardworking, relatable, honest, committed to the country, and having stood up to China’s disinformation campaign and economic coercion,” states Stephen Nagy, a professor of international relations at the International Christian University in Tokyo and a visiting fellow with the Japan Institute for International Affairs.
However, Takaichi still “needs to pursue a positive agenda to strengthen her mandate at home,” Nagy adds, pointing out that a decisive electoral victory would not only facilitate the passage of her but would also likely enhance her standing with international allies such as the U.S.
“Her approval ratings are sky high, and they’re only going to decline,” predicts Kingston, who notes that her popularity has not yet been affected by the yen’s depreciation and rising interest rates resulting from her expansionary fiscal policies, which could fuel inflation and worsen the country’s cost-of-living crisis. “It’s not going to get any better than this for her.”
