If you haven’t been watching Tokyo lately, things just got incredibly weird. Or historic. Honestly, it depends on who you ask at the ramen stall. As of January 2026, the current PM of Japan, Sanae Takaichi, is basically playing the highest-stakes game of political poker the country has seen in decades.
She made history back in October 2025 by becoming the first-ever female Prime Minister of Japan. That was a massive deal. But now? She’s already moving to dissolve the lower house of Parliament for a snap election. It’s a "go big or go home" move that has everyone from salarymen to international diplomats sweating.
The current PM of Japan and the "January Surprise"
Takaichi isn't exactly a wallflower. She’s a self-described disciple of the late Shinzo Abe, and she’s leaning hard into that "Iron Lady" persona. On January 14, 2026, she basically dropped a bombshell by informing her party and her new coalition partners, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), that she’s calling an early election.
Why now? Well, she’s sitting on a 70% approval rating. That’s huge. In Japanese politics, a 70% rating is like finding a unicorn in the middle of Shibuya Crossing. She wants to use that popularity to crush the opposition before the "new car smell" of her administration wears off.
What’s actually at stake?
Right now, her government is held together by a tiny, fragile majority. We’re talking about 233 seats out of 465. It’s paper-thin. If a couple of people catch a cold or change their minds, her entire legislative agenda—including a record $768 billion budget—could go up in smoke.
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Here is the vibe of her current situation:
- The Budget: She’s trying to push through 122.3 trillion yen to fight inflation.
- The Partnership: The LDP's old partner, Komeito, dumped them after 26 years because they couldn't stand Takaichi's hawkish views.
- The New Guys: She’s now in bed with the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), who are way more conservative and "pro-reform" than the old guard.
Why people are actually talking about Sanae Takaichi
Most people outside of Japan think the current PM of Japan is just another face in a revolving door of leaders. But Takaichi is different. She rides motorbikes. She plays heavy metal drums. She’s a hardline conservative who doesn't mind making China or South Korea uncomfortable if she thinks it protects Japanese interests.
Just this week, she was in Nara meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. It looked professional, but the tension was thick. Takaichi has a history of visiting the Yasukuni Shrine (which honors war dead, including war criminals), and while she’s stayed away since becoming PM to keep the peace, everyone is waiting to see if she’ll actually go.
The "Abenomics" Sequel
She’s basically running a "Proactive Fiscal Policy." It’s a fancy way of saying she wants to spend a lot of money to jumpstart the world’s fourth-largest economy. Critics say it’ll lead to more debt. Supporters say it’s the only way to stop the yen from sliding into the abyss.
Honestly, the economy is where she’ll either become a legend or a footnote. Prices for basic goods in Tokyo are rising faster than people’s wages, and the Japanese public is notoriously impatient with leaders who can't fix their wallets.
What most people get wrong about the 2026 election
There’s this idea that because she’s a woman, she’s going to be a "soft" leader or focus primarily on gender equality.
Nope.
In fact, many Japanese feminists are actually pretty frustrated with her. She doesn't support changing the law to allow married couples to keep separate surnames—a huge issue for women’s rights advocates in Japan. She’s much more focused on "Economic Security" and building up the military to counter regional threats.
If she wins this snap election (likely happening in February 2026), she won't just be the first female PM; she’ll be the most powerful Japanese leader since Abe. She’ll have the mandate to change the constitution, which is the "holy grail" for Japanese conservatives.
Actionable insights for following Japanese politics
If you're trying to keep up with what the current PM of Japan does next, don't just look at the headlines. Look at these three things:
- The February 8 Election Date: If the election happens then, watch the turnout of younger voters. Takaichi is surprisingly popular on Japanese social media.
- The Yen vs. Dollar: If her "proactive spending" makes the yen drop further, her 70% approval will vanish overnight.
- The "Ishin" Factor: Watch how much power the Japan Innovation Party gets. If they gain seats, Japan is going to move significantly to the right, especially on defense and nuclear energy.
Takaichi is gambling that the Japanese people want a "strong" leader more than a "safe" one. We’re about to find out if she’s right.
Next Steps for Staying Updated:
- Monitor the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE): Market reactions to the snap election announcement will signal how business leaders view Takaichi’s stability.
- Track the "Ordinary Session" of the Diet: Starting January 23, the formal dissolution process begins. This is where the opposition will try to trap her on budget details.
- Watch the U.S.-Japan Trade Updates: With Takaichi implementing deals made by her predecessor Shigeru Ishiba, any friction with Washington could hurt her standing before the vote.