Japan PM Takaichi to dissolve parliament Friday and call national election

Tokyo: Japan's Prime ​Minister Sanae Takaichi said she will ‌dissolve parliament Friday and ⁠call a national ‌election to seek voter backing for increased spending and a new security strategy expected to accelerate Japan's defence build ​up.

The snap vote will decide all 465 seats in parliament’s lower house and mark Takaichi's ‌first ‌electoral test since becoming Japan's first female premier in ⁠October.

Calling an early election would allow her to capitalise on strong public support to tighten ⁠her grip on ⁠the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and ‌shore up her ‌coalition’s fragile majority.

The election will test voter appetite for higher spending at a time ‍when the rising cost of living is the public's top concern. A poll released by public broadcaster NHK last week found 45% of respondents cited prices as their main worry, followed by ​diplomacy and ‌national security at 16%.