Japan snap election sparks debate over PM Takaichi’s dissolution powers
Summary
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi triggered a snap election in Japan by exercising her prerogative to dissolve the House of Representatives less than 16 months after the last election, sparking debate over the constitutionality and limits of dissolution powers.
Key Points
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the Japanese House of Representatives, calling for a snap election on February 8, 2026.
- This move raised controversy over the prime minister's authority to dissolve the lower house without prior parliamentary debate, last done in 1966.
- Opposition parties, including the Centrist Reform Alliance, are demanding clearer rules to limit dissolution powers and to reflect public opinion.
- Legal experts debate if the current practice aligns with Japan's Constitution, suggesting dissolution should be a Cabinet decision, not an exclusive prime minister prerogative.
