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[Breaking News]PM Takaichi announces plan to dissolve lower house

TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 19 Kyodo - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a press conference at the premier's office in Tokyo on Jan. 19, 2026, explaining her plan to dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for a snap general election on Feb. 8. (Kyodo)

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Japan's lower house dissolved for snap election

Japanese House of Representatives Speaker Fukushiro Nukaga reads out a rescript signed by the emperor to dissolve the lower house during its plenary session in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026. With the dissolution, a general election will be held on Feb. 8.

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Japan Innovation Party co-leader Fujita

Fumitake Fujita, co-leader of the Japan Innovation Party, speaks to the press in Tokyo on Jan. 19, 2026, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced her plan to dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Japan Innovation Party co-leader Fujita

Fumitake Fujita, co-leader of the Japan Innovation Party, speaks to the press in Tokyo on Jan. 19, 2026, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced her plan to dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Noda

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks to the press in Tokyo on Jan. 19, 2026, about Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's plan to dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Noda

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks to the press in Tokyo on Jan. 19, 2026, about Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's plan to dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Komeito party leader Saito

Tetsuo Saito, leader of the Komeito party, speaks to the press in Tokyo on Jan. 19, 2026, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced her plan to dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Komeito party leader Saito

Tetsuo Saito, leader of the Komeito party, speaks to the press in Tokyo on Jan. 19, 2026, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced her plan to dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Japan's LDP executive meeting

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C), also the head of the Liberal Democratic Party, attends the party's executive meeting in Tokyo, with LDP Vice President Taro Aso (R) and LDP Secretary General Shunichi Suzuki on Jan. 20, 2026, a day after announcing her plan to dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Japan's LDP executive meeting

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (3rd from R), also the head of the Liberal Democratic Party, attends the party's executive meeting in Tokyo on Jan. 20, 2026, a day after announcing her plan to dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Japan's LDP executive meeting

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C), also the head of the Liberal Democratic Party, attends the party's executive meeting in Tokyo on Jan. 20, 2026, a day after announcing her plan to dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Japan PM Takaichi at Cabinet meeting

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) is pictured ahead of a Cabinet meeting at her office in Tokyo on Jan. 20, 2026, a day after announcing her plan to dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Japan PM Takaichi at Cabinet meeting

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) is pictured ahead of a Cabinet meeting at her office in Tokyo on Jan. 20, 2026, a day after announcing her plan to dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Japan PM Takaichi at Cabinet meeting

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) is pictured ahead of a Cabinet meeting at her office in Tokyo on Jan. 20, 2026, a day after announcing her plan to dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Japan PM Takaichi at Cabinet meeting

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) is pictured with members of her Cabinet ahead of a Cabinet meeting at her office in Tokyo on Jan. 20, 2026, a day after announcing her plan to dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Preparations for upcoming general election in Japan

A signage company in Chikuma in Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, is busy making and shipping boards on Jan. 19, 2026, ahead of a snap general election. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the same day she will dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for the election to be held on Feb. 8.

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Preparations for upcoming general election in Japan

A signage company in Chikuma in Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, is busy making and shipping boards on Jan. 19, 2026, ahead of a snap general election. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the same day she will dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for the election to be held on Feb. 8.

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Preparations for upcoming general election in Japan

A signage company in Chikuma in Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, is busy making and shipping boards on Jan. 19, 2026, ahead of a snap general election. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the same day she will dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for the election to be held on Feb. 8.

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PM Takaichi announces plan to dissolve lower house

A street television in Tokyo's Yurakucho area shows on Jan. 19, 2026, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi explaining her plan to dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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PM Takaichi announces plan to dissolve lower house

A street television in Tokyo's Yurakucho area shows on Jan. 19, 2026, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi explaining her plan to dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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PM Takaichi announces plan to dissolve lower house

A street television in Tokyo's Yurakucho area shows on Jan. 19, 2026, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi explaining her plan to dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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