Kyodo News reported on January 12 that, according to sources, Japanese Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Sanae Takaichi told LDP officials on January 10 that she is considering dissolving the House of Representatives at the start of the regular Diet session scheduled for January 23. The Asahi Shimbun analyzed on January 11 that this move aims to enhance policy implementation by gaining voters' trust, but it will inevitably draw criticism for "creating a political vacuum."
(File photo: Sanae Kaohsiung)Regarding the schedule for the House of Representatives election, the main proposals currently include "announcement on January 27 and voting and counting on February 8" and "announcement on February 3 and voting and counting on February 15." However, there are also cautious voices within the government that believe priority should be given to passing the 2026 budget before the end of March.
However, Japanese media pointed out that, based on the current situation, it is unlikely that the 2026 budget bill will be passed before the end of March, and the passage of budget and tax-related bills will also be delayed, so some people are worried that it will affect people's lives.
According to NHK, Yoshihiko Noda, leader of Japan's largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, and former Prime Minister, said that the dissolution of the House of Representatives was probably due to some kind of concern. He speculated that the move lacked a reasonable basis and legitimate reason, and was motivated by self-preservation.
Yoshihiko Noda said, "Although the Prime Minister keeps saying 'work, work, work,' he hasn't done anything to alleviate rising prices or promote economic development. This practice of creating another political vacuum will be seriously questioned. This approach will make it difficult for the new fiscal year's budget to be passed this fiscal year, thus negatively impacting the economy. Is it appropriate to make such a judgment?" Noda also emphasized, "We are accelerating our preparations. We need to determine as soon as possible which political parties we will cooperate with and in what ways."
In addition, Tetsuo Saito, leader of Japan's Komeito party, also pointed out: "The most important thing to consider is measures to deal with high prices, rather than doing anything about the political situation."
Given that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told Liberal Democratic Party officials that she intends to dissolve the House of Representatives at the start of the regular Diet session scheduled for the 23rd, all parties in Japan, both ruling and opposition, began preparations on the 11th with an eye toward the next House of Representatives election.
Liberal Democratic Party Policy Research Council Chairman Takayuki Kobayashi stated, "Dissolving the House of Representatives is the exclusive prerogative of the Prime Minister. We have always approached our activities with the mindset of being ready to step into an election battle at any time, and members of the House of Representatives are such a person."
Hirofumi Yoshimura, leader of the Japan Restoration Party, stated that the party is ready to fight at any time.
Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, and Tetsuo Saito, leader of the Komeito Party, held talks in Tokyo on the 12th. Noda inquired about Saito's willingness to cooperate in the next House of Representatives election, and both agreed to explore specific ways to cooperate in the future.
Following the meeting, Yoshihiko Noda told the media, "Both sides have maintained exchanges and communication in various senses in the past, and this time we reached a basic consensus on carrying out higher-level cooperation regarding the election." Regarding Takashima City's consideration of dissolving the House of Representatives, Noda stated, "The Rise Democratic Party and Komeito have confirmed that they will meet the challenge." Tetsuo Saito also emphasized, "The Rise Democratic Party has expressed its desire to fight together, and we will actively explore and seek a higher level of cooperation."
Yoshihiko Noda also stated, "In terms of correcting excessive right-wing tendencies, the Komeito Party is the most approachable political force. We will do our best to coordinate and build a political force that can rival the Liberal Democratic Party."
