TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is likely to increase seats and gain a majority in the lower house in a general election on Feb 8, a preliminary survey by the Nikkei newspaper showed on Thursday.
Takaichi called the snap general election to seek a mandate to gear up her expansionary fiscal policy, a move that triggered a spike in bond yields on market concerns Japan may be forced to issue additional debt.
“While still early in the race, the LDP is gaining momentum and likely to see its seats exceed the 233 majority of 465 up for grabs in the lower house, up from 198 seats it holds before the election,” the Nikkei said.