Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may call an early general election, the head of her party's coalition partner, Hirofumi Yoshimura, said on Sunday (Jan 11), after media reported she was considering a February vote. An early election could allow Takaichi, Japan's first female prime minister, to take advantage of the strong approval ratings she has enjoyed since taking office in October. Her tough stance on China has appealed to right-wing voters but has sparked a major diplomatic dispute with Japan's powerful Asian neighbour. Yoshimura, leader of the Japan Innovation Party, known as Ishin, told public ... (full story)