Japan PM readies snap election, February 8 ballot eyed

(Reuters)

TOKYO, Jan 14 – Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to dissolve parliament next week and call a snap parliamentary election, the secretary general of her party said on Wednesday, as she seeks public backing for spending plans that have rattled financial markets.

Takaichi is considering holding the election on February 8, two ruling party lawmakers said, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

“We need to seek a fresh mandate,” Shunichi Suzuki, secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, told reporters after meeting Takaichi, adding that she would outline her plans next Monday.

Japan’s first female prime minister will be looking to ride a surge in public support since coming to office in October despite triggering a major diplomatic row with powerful neighbour China.

Suzuki said the ballot would allow voters to judge the LDP’s new coalition with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party, known as Ishin. Takaichi formed the alliance last year after breaking with Komeito, the LDP’s longstanding and more liberal partner.

“One reason for dissolving parliament is that the previous election was under the LDP–Komeito government; the public has not yet rendered a verdict on the change in our coalition partner,” Suzuki added.