TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may call an early general election, the head of her party's coalition partner said on Sunday (Jan 11), after media reported she was considering a February vote.

It would be the first time for the conservative Takaichi, Japan's first female prime minister and a fan of Britain's Margaret Thatcher, to face the voters, giving her a chance to capitalise on the strong public approval ratings she has enjoyed since taking office in October.