FOCUS: Japan PM Takaichi's snap election risks political vacuum, policy delay

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's surprise announcement to dissolve the House of Representatives on Friday has sparked concerns that a "political vacuum" could delay inflation-relief measures, potentially hurting her popularity.

Both the ruling and opposition camps, meanwhile, have made a consumption tax cut a central pledge for the Feb. 8 general election, but analysts warn that unfunded, scattershot spending risks leaving a lasting burden on future generations.