With the ongoing session of parliament set to end Dec. 17 and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi¡¯s administration riding high in opinion polls, there¡¯s a growing question in the political heart of Nagatacho about whether she will bank on her popularity and call a snap election early next year.
The potential rewards of Takaichi¡¯s Liberal Democratic Party winning big and strengthening her position ahead of next year¡¯s parliamentary session are great. But the risks for the prime minister and her party may be greater.
Takaichi is facing a tough situation. While three independent Lower House members last week agreed to work with the LDP and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), allowing them to regain a majority in that chamber of parliament, the ruling bloc still lacks a majority in the Upper House, which means it needs opposition support to pass nonbudget legislation.
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