Japan PM Takaichi set to dissolve parliament for snap election

The country's first woman leader announced on Monday that she planned to dissolve the lower house, seeking public backing for measures to shield households from rising living costs and increased spending on defence. The ruling coalition of Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party (JIP) has only a slim majority in the powerful lower chamber. Takaichi is hoping widespread support for her cabinet will help deliver her a stronger mandate even though the LDP itself is...