The Chairman of the Lower House of Parliament in Japan, Fumio Nukaga, announced the dissolution of the house on the first day of the new 220th session, as reported by RIA Novosti.
Thus, the decision has become official.
The session, which was scheduled to last 150 days, ended just 1 minute and 56 seconds after it began.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed on Monday the intention to dissolve the lower house for new elections. The formal reason for this step was stated as the desire to gauge the opinion of voters in light of changes in the composition of the ruling coalition.
In practice, however, Prime Minister and LDP leader Sanae Takaichi hopes that the high approval rating of her government will help the party improve its results in the upcoming elections in 2024, which would strengthen its position in the lower house, where the ruling coalition currently holds a precarious majority by a single vote.
The elections are scheduled for February 8.
