Early Election

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may be moving closer to calling an early general election, according to the leader of her coalition partner, following reports that a snap vote could be held as early as February.

Hirofumi Yoshimura, head of the Japan Innovation Party, said on Sunday that recent discussions with Takaichi suggested her thinking on election timing had entered what he described as a new phase. His remarks came after domestic media reported the prime minister was weighing a February election.

An early election could allow Takaichi, Japan’s first woman prime minister, to seek a fresh mandate while public …