China's shadow looms: Takaichi gambles on Feb 8 vote to survive China's economic warfare onslaught?

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has called a snap general election, dissolving parliament ahead of a nationwide vote scheduled for February 8. In her first major electoral test since becoming Japan’s first female prime minister, Takaichi pledged to suspend the 8% food levy for two years, aiming to ease the burden on households struggling with rising living costs and inflation. The prime minister said the tax suspension would not be funded through new government debt, stressing that alternative measures such as reviewing existing subsidies would be considered. Her move comes as inflation concerns dominate public debate, with opposition parties also pushing for tax cuts or the abolition of the food levy. A newly formed opposition bloc has called for scrapping the tax altogether, setting up a fierce contest. Takaichi’s main challenger will be the Centrist Reform Alliance, formed after the breakup of Japan’s long-standing ruling coalition.