Alpha News

Japan’s Lower House Dissolved, Snap Elections Called for February 8th

Published January 23, 2026, 10:24

The Lower House of Japan was officially dissolved today, with an announcement from the Speaker of the House, paving the way for snap parliamentary elections on February 8th, called by Prime Minister Sanae Takaiči. The Speaker of the Lower House read a letter formalizing the dissolution, amidst the traditional cry of “banzai!” from many of the lawmakers. Takaiči, the nationalist politician who became the first female Prime Minister in the history of the Asian archipelago in October, appears to be betting that her high popularity will strengthen the parliamentary majority of her party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).