Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday announced her decision to call a national election next month, a power move widely seen as a bid to boost her party’s mandate in parliament, seek voter backing for increased spending and tax cuts, and tackle cost-of-living concerns.
Ms Takaichi, who was elected as Japan’s first woman prime minister just three months ago, said she will dissolve the House of Representatives on Friday and hold election on 8 February.
