Ms Takaichi supports a revival of Abenomics, named after her late predecessor Shinzo Abe, a programme of heavy government spending to drive away persistent deflation. But she is hemmed in by Japan’s public debt – 240 per cent of GDP – and by rising spending on welfare and defence.

Relying on her high approval rating, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's gamble to dissolve Japan's House of Representatives on Friday fo

Less than a month after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the nation was set to achieve its first primary balance surplus in 28 years, the latest official estimates indicate that her recent stimulus package has knocked the government off track.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's decision to dissolve the House of Representatives on Friday and call a snap general election on Feb 8 has understandably triggered a strong backlash from opposition parties and widespread skepticism among political observers.