Japan PM mulling snap election in coming weeksAFP, TOKYOJapanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering calling a general election in the coming weeks to capitalize on strong public support for her government, media reports said yesterday. Takaichi became Japan’s first female prime minister in October last year, and her Cabinet is enjoying an approval rating of about 70 percent. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi gestures during a speech at a New Year’s reception in Tokyo on Tuesday. That would mean an election would be “highly likely to be held in early to mid-February,” the Yomiuri said. Ties have deteriorated since Takaichi suggested last year that Japan could intervene militarily if China ever launched an attack on Taiwan.

Source: Taipei Times January 10, 2026 16:10 UTC