Japanβs Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the lower house of Parliament on Friday, paving the way for a Feb. 8 snap election.
The move is an attempt to capitalize on her popularity to help governing party regain ground after major losses in recent years, but will delay parliamentary approval for a budget that aims at boosting a struggling economy and addressing soaring prices.
Elected in October as Japanβs first female leader, Takaichi has been in office only three months, but she has seen strong approval ratings of about 70%.
Takaichiβs Liberal Democratic Party could still face some challenges as it reels from a series of scandals about corruption and the party's past ties to the controversial Unification Church.
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