Japanese PM calls election to seek stronger mandateAFP, TOKYOJapanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi yesterday said that she would dissolve parliament this week ahead of a snap election on Feb. 8, hoping for a stronger mandate to push through her ambitious policy agenda. The nation’s first female leader is banking on her high poll numbers to lead the unpopular ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to victory. “Is Sanae Takaichi fit to be prime minister? Takaichi was appointed prime minister in October last year and her Cabinet is riding high in the polls despite her party’s flagging popularity. The ruling bloc — which includes coalition partner the Japan Innovation Party — has only a slim majority in the powerful lower house of parliament.
