By SCM ONLINE REPORTER
JAPAN’S first female Prime Minister has dissolved parliament and called a high-stakes snap election as she looks to cement her grip on power.
Sanae Takaichi, 64, shocked Tokyo on Friday by pulling the trigger on the February 8th vote—just three months after she made history by taking office.
The “Iron Lady” of Japanese politics told a packed press conference she is “staking her career” on the result, demanding a direct mandate from the public to push through her “strong Japan” agenda.
The bold move triggers a lightning 12-day campaign starting this Tuesday.
Despite the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) being rocked by recent scandals, Takaichi is riding high in the polls with a personal approval rating of around 70 per cent.
She is betting that her popularity—particularly among young voters—will be enough to win a “thumping majority” and silence critics who claim she is too right-wing.
”I believe the only option is for the people to decide whether Sanae Takaichi should be Prime Minister,” she said, before lawmakers ended the session with traditional shouts of “Banzai!” (ten thousand years).
The election will be a referendum on Takaichi’s “hawkish” policies, which include:
Defence: A massive hike in military spending to counter threats from China and North Korea.
Economy: A temporary scrap of food taxes to help families struggling with the “cost of living” crisis.
Immigration: Tougher rules on foreign residents and a “Japan first” approach to social cohesion.
Opposition rivals have slammed the move as “reckless,” accusing the PM of putting her own political survival ahead of passing the national budget.
The Trailblazer: Takaichi became Japan’s first female Prime Minister in October 2025, succeeding Shigeru Ishiba.
Thatcher Admirer: She has long cited Britain’s Margaret Thatcher as her political idol, adopting a similar “conviction politics” style.
Political Stance: A staunch conservative, she is an ally of the late Shinzo Abe.
She supports traditional family values and has frequently visited the controversial Yasukuni shrine, which often causes diplomatic friction with China.
The Coalition: She currently leads a slim-majority coalition between the LDP and the Japan Innovation Party.
A win on Feb 8th would give her the power to govern without relying on minor parties.
