Japan’s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has announced a snap general election as she looks to use her strong approval ratings to secure a fresh public mandate. Takaichi, who became Japan’s first female prime minister three months ago, said she will dissolve the lower house of parliament on 23 January, with elections scheduled for 8 February.

Takaichi informed senior members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of her decision earlier this week. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, she said the move was aimed at allowing voters to judge whether she was suitable to continue leading the country.

Describing the decision as challenging, Takaichi said calling an early election was “very difficult.” She added, “I am putting my future as prime minister on the line. I want the people to decide directly whether they can entrust the management of the country to me.” She also stated that she wanted voters to decide if she was “fit” to remain in office.

The next lower house election was originally due in October 2028, but Takaichi appears confident that her personal popularity can help reverse the LDP’s recent electoral setbacks. Since taking office in October, her approval ratings have remained high, encouraging her to seek a direct mandate from the public.

The LDP and its former junior coalition partner, Komeito, suffered heavy losses in recent elections. They lost their majority in the lower house in October 2024, followed by further losses in the upper house election held last July. As a result, Takaichi was forced to form a fragile alliance with the Japan Innovation Party, a populist group that shares many of her conservative positions, to remain in power when she became prime minister.

Takaichi’s early months in office were marked by important diplomatic engagements. She made what were described as encouraging starts during meetings with US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, relations with China later deteriorated after Takaichi suggested that Japan could become militarily involved in a conflict between China and Taiwan if Japan’s own security were threatened.

China claims Taiwan as a province and has stated that it is preparing for possible annexation by force. Recent US intelligence assessments have indicated that Beijing aims to be capable of invading Taiwan by 2027. Takaichi has refused to withdraw her remarks on Taiwan, a stance that has strengthened her support among Japanese voters but angered Beijing.

China has responded by urging its citizens not to travel to Japan, which has led to the cancellation of meetings and events. This development has raised concerns about potential damage to Japan’s export-driven economy. This month, China also banned exports of so-called dual-use items to Japan’s military. These items include goods, software, or technologies that have both civilian and military applications. Takaichi said the move violates international protocols, while Beijing stated that the ban would apply only to Japanese military firms.

Despite her strong approval ratings, the decision to call an early election carries risks. Domestically, the LDP continues to face criticism over an unresolved political funding scandal and rising living costs. A recent poll conducted by public broadcaster NHK found that 45% of respondents identified rising prices as their main concern, while 16% cited diplomacy and national security.

In response to public pressure, the ruling coalition is considering suspending the 8% consumption tax on food items for two years. Media reports have also suggested that Takaichi may seek to ban political fundraisers by ministers, a move aimed at easing public anger over the widespread use of slush funds by LDP lawmakers.

Takaichi, who supports increased government spending to boost Asia’s second-largest economy, said over the weekend that she had instructed ministers to ensure the implementation of a supplementary budget for the current fiscal year, which runs until March. She also said efforts were underway to secure parliamentary approval for next year’s budget.

The government’s razor-thin majority faces a new challenge from a newly formed political party. This month, the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) merged with Komeito to create the Centrist Reform Alliance. Speaking at the party’s launch on Monday, CDPJ secretary general Jun Azumi said the new group would “reflect a centrist approach aimed at moving from divisive, confrontational politics to one of coexistence and inclusion.”

Signs that Takaichi was preparing to seek her first electoral mandate became clearer earlier this month when she posted on X, “I made a fresh determination as a leader who must fulfil the heavy responsibility of leading Japan.” She also noted that she had visited a memorial for her political mentor, former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated in July 2022 in Nara prefecture, where Takaichi holds her parliamentary seat.

With growing geopolitical tensions, economic pressures at home, and shifting political alliances, the upcoming election is set to be a major test of Takaichi’s leadership and her ability to secure long-term public support.