On Monday, at a press conference, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takichi confirmed that she has decided to dissolve the lower house of parliament early in order to organize elections.
“I have decided to dissolve the lower house of parliament as Prime Minister,” she stated.
The next session of parliament is scheduled for January 23.
According to Takichi, “I want the people to decide for themselves whether they can trust me, Sanae Takichi, to govern the country. In Japan, citizens cannot directly elect the Prime Minister. However, elections to the lower house of parliament are considered decisive for forming the government. If the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin no Kai) gain a majority of seats, I will remain in the position of Prime Minister,” she noted.
The Prime Minister also added that currently, the LDP does not control a majority in both houses of parliament, although its leader holds the position of Prime Minister. Additionally, there has been a change in the ruling coalition after the departure of the Komeito party.
“For this reason, we decided to appeal directly to the people, rather than to political interests,” she concluded.
The elections for the lower house of parliament will take place on February 8.
