Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to dissolve the lower house of Parliament soon to pave the way for a snap election to seek the public’s mandate for her policies, a top party official said Wednesday. Takaichi was elected as Japan’s first female prime minister in October. A snap election is seen as an attempt to capitalize her still strong approval ratings of around 70% to help her beleaguered governing party gain more seats. Shunichi Suzuki, secretary general of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, told reporters that Takaichi told him and other top officials her plan to dissolve the lower house “soon” after it convenes on Jan. 23. Suzuki did not give dates for a dissolution or a snap election, and said Takaichi will explain her plans at a news conference next Monday.

Full report : Japan’s Takaichi plans to dissolve lower house to set up an early snap election.