4 h. ago Why Japan’s Takaichi has called election just three months after taking power

Sanae Takaichi became Japan’s first female premier in October 2025

Politics

4 h. ago Why Japan’s Takaichi has called election just four months after taking power

Sanae Takaichi became Japan’s first female premier in October 2025

Politics

5 h. ago Who is Sanae Takaichi? Japan’s ‘Iron Lady’ calls snap election after only three months as PM

Conservative leader is seeking to take advantage of strong approval ratings to strengthen her hold over the ruling LDP and reinforce her coalition’s narrow majority

Politics

6 h. ago Japan’s Sanae Takaichi calls snap election next month: ‘Staking my own future as PM’

Takaichi’s decision to call for a fresh election will see voting on all 465 seats in parliament’s lower house

Politics

6 h. ago Japanese PM Takaichi to dissolve parliament and call snap election

Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi has announced her decision to dissolve parliament on 23 January and call snap election.

Politics

54 h. ago Italian premier Giorgia Meloni bonds with fellow female leader Sanae Takaichi of Japan over birthday cake, selfies and a deep love of Margaret Thatcher

The two leaders bonded over birthday cake, selfies and a shared admiration for Margaret Thatcher during their first extended talks since Takaichi took office last autumn.

Politics

6 d. ago Japan’s Takaichi poised to call snap election just 4 months after taking office

Prime minister seeking to capitalise on strong approval rating to boost her party’s seat tally

Politics

6 d. ago MPs clash over ‘childish’ petition calling for snap general election

The petition was debated in parliament after a petition attracted more than one million signatures

Politics

1 week ago China announces another new trade measure against Japan as tensions rise

China has escalated its trade tensions with Japan by launching an investigation into imported dichlorosilane, a chemical gas used in making semiconductors

Events

2 w. ago Calls for snap UK General Election as questions over Starmer's future grows

The PM led his party to a 174-seat majority just 18 months ago, but there have been growing calls for him to step down and now a petition has called for him to call an election

Politics

2 w. ago Japan PM Sanae Takaichi joins women lawmakers to press for more toilets in parliament

Cross-party petition highlights how historic legislature lags behind growing female presence

Politics

2 w. ago Female MPs in Japan seek to flush out sexism with call for more toilets

PM Sanae Takaichi joins petition asking for better facilities for women to match improved representationNearly 60 female lawmakers in Japan, including the prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, have submitted a petition calling for more toilets in the parliament building for women to match their improved representation.Japanese politics remains hugely male-dominated, although the number of women in the parliament rose at the last election – and Takaichi became the first female prime minister in October. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Two cubicles, 73 women, one long queue: Japan’s female MPs fight for more loos

PM Sanae Takaichi joins petition asking for better facilities for women to match improved representationNearly 60 female lawmakers in Japan, including the prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, have submitted a petition calling for more toilets in the parliament building for women to match their improved representation.Japanese politics remains hugely male-dominated, although the number of women in the parliament rose at the last election – and Takaichi became the first female prime minister in October. This is reflected by there being only one lavatory containing two cubicles for the lower house’s 73 women to use near the Diet’s main plenary session hall in central Tokyo. Continue reading...

Politics