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Japanese PM Shinzo Abe calls for snap elections in October

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has announced he will dissolve the lower house of parliament and call a snap election for next month.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attends a news conference to announce snap election at his official residence in Tokyo. Photo: Reuters

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attends a news conference to announce snap election at his official residence in Tokyo. Photo: Reuters

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TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has announced he will dissolve the lower house of parliament and call a snap election for next month.

Mr Abe said at a news conference Monday (Sept 25) that he will dissolve the more powerful house in Japan's two-chamber parliament on Thursday when it convenes after a three-month summer recess. The election is to be held Oct. 22.

Support ratings for Abe's government have begun to rebound as attacks on its cronyism scandals have faded during parliament's recess, while opposition parties are regrouping.

Opposition lawmakers say there is no need to hold elections now.

Tokyo's governor on Monday announced that she is launching a new political party to challenge Mr Abe's ruling party.

Yuriko Koike said Monday she is heading the Hope Party and plans to send candidates to vie for some of the 475 seats in the lower house.

Ms Koike's regional Tokyoites First no Kai group had a landslide victory in the city assembly election in July, dealing a major blow to Abe's scandal-plagued ruling party.

Support for Mr Abe's party has since rebounded, somewhat helped by his Cabinet reshuffle last month and fading scandals during the parliament's recess. AP

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