TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to give more details on Jan 19 of her plan to dissolve the House of Representatives for a snap election, ruling party executives said after meeting with her Wednesday.

Hirofumi Yoshimura, head of the Japan Innovation Party, the coalition partner of Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party, told reporters that Takaichi has informed senior officials of the ruling coalition parties of her intention to dissolve the lower house at the initial stage of this year's ordinary parliamentary session and call a snap election.

If the lower house is dissolved shortly after the session opens on Jan 23, there are two possible schedules for a snap election: one with official campaigning starting on Jan 27 and voting on Feb 8, and another with campaigning beginning on Feb 3 and voting on Feb 15.

The snap election is set to be held less than a year and a half after the previous one. Under Japan's Constitution, members of the lower house normally serve four-year terms unless the chamber is dissolved.

READ MORE: Kyodo News: Japan PM intends to dissolve lower house for snap election

Takaichi's decision has drawn sustained criticism from within the LDP and from opposition parties, as many argue that an early general election could delay the passage of the fiscal 2026 budget, despite Takaichi's pledge to prioritize carrying out her policies, including measures to tackle rising prices.  

Report: Japan's main opposition party, Komeito consider forming new party  

Japan's largest opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) and Komeito have begun coordination with the possibility of forming a new political party, the Asahi Shimbun daily reported on Wednesday.

A senior CDPJ official said the two sides could make a decision as early as Thursday after consultations.

READ MORE: Japan opposition parties criticize Takaichi for steering country toward 'war state'

Many Japanese media outlets reported earlier that the two parties are considering deepening fundamental cooperation to broaden their support base and jointly challenge the administration of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in the upcoming House of Representatives election.

The leaders of the two parties held talks on Monday and agreed to pursue what they described as a "higher level of cooperation."

Komeito terminated its coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in October last year and shifted into opposition. While some local party organizations favor maintaining cooperation with the LDP, senior Komeito officials are leaning toward further strengthening their stance against the Takaichi administration.

Takaichi on Wednesday informed senior officials of the ruling coalition parties of her intention to dissolve the lower house when its regular Diet session convenes on Jan 23 and call a snap election.