Why Japan’s prime minister might call a snap election

15 January 2026 · 11m

FT News Briefing

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Show notes

US President Donald Trump has not ruled out military action in Iran and Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to call a snap general election. Plus, Donald Trump’s “unpredictable” policies have prompted bond giant Pimco to diversify away from US assets, and US banks push back against Trump’s credit card cap plans.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Donald Trump says he has received assurances ‘killing in Iran is stopping’

Japan’s Sanae Takaichi to call snap election

Donald Trump’s ‘unpredictable’ policies to fuel multiyear shift from US, Pimco says

Wall Street hits back at Trump credit card cap plans

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Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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