Japan’s Takaichi says potential February election ‘an option’

Politics

Dissolving Diet on Jan. 23 could boost LDP seats but delaying budget presents a risk

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi looks to reinforce her coalition’s narrow lower-house majority. (Photo by Akitoshi Sugiura)

Nikkei staff writers

January 11, 2026 00:09 JST

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has told top-ranking Liberal Democratic Party members that dissolving the lower house of the parliament on Jan. 23 is “an option,” setting up a possible general election in February, Nikkei has learned.