Khaldon Azhari

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister TAKAICHI Sanae caught the nation off guard by calling a snap general election for February 8, a move that seemingly resulted in the postponement of a state visit by the President of the United Arab Emirates.

“It’s not normal to schedule an election on the same day when a major State Visit to Japan is due to start,” political journalist AOYAMA Kazuhiro told a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan on Wednesday.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry announced on February 2 that the UAE requested a postponement of President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed’s State Visit “due to increasing tension in the Middle East,” amid speculation that the United States might attack Iran.

Yet critics in Japan accused the Prime Minister and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of putting election ambitions above ties with the UAE, a nation that fuels nearly 40% of Japan’s crude oil imports and underpins its energy security.

Election consultant OHAMAZAKI Takuma argued that Takaichi is laser-focused on victory, willing to seize any shortcut, even if it means sidelining significant events like the UAE President’s visit.

Ohamazaki pointed out the unusual timing of the election, set in the middle of winter with heavy snow expected in much of Japan, including Tokyo. He said that bad weather has already caused problems for transportation in the north, which has delayed sending voting papers to voting districts in some areas and made planning for Election Day harder.

He further said that choosing February 8 instead of the earlier idea of February 15 gave opposition parties little time to get ready, which helped the well-prepared LDP. He added that having the election later might have given the opposition a better chance.

Ohamazaki portrayed Takaichi as someone who relentlessly pursues the quickest route to victory, even if it means overlooking diplomatically crucial events like the UAE President’s state visit.

Aoyama observed that Prime Minister Takaichi’s attention was fixed on clinching the election, rallying support for her agenda, and strengthening her authority.

He also noted that the prime minister skipped a major debate on national broadcaster NHK, citing what many saw as a questionable hand injury.

Japanese media speculated that Takaichi was dodging tough questions about her links to the Unification Church, a Korean religious cult that has haunted the ruling party since the assassination of former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo.