TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dissolved the lower house of Parliament, making way for a snap election on October 22. He is widely seen as trying to re-consolidate his grip on power within the ruling Liberal-Democratic Party, so he can extend the term of his premiership next year.
Dissolution of the more powerful of Japan's two-chamber parliament comes over a year before required by law. The ruling party, however, faces a growing challenge from a new party launched by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike. Speaker of the house read the statement of dissolution. Lower House members stood up, chanted “Banzai” three times in a dissolution ritual and later rushed out of the assembly hall. Abe gave fiery speech after, stating he sought a public mandate on his tougher diplomatic and defence policies to deal with escalating threats from North Korea and that his party members would have to relay his message to gain support from voters during the campaign.
“This election is about how we protect Japan, the people's lives and peaceful daily life. The election is about the future of our children,” he said. The upper house does not dissolve, but will remain closed until reconvened after the election. Analysts said they believe Abe's ruling party would retain a majority, though some seats may be pulled by Koike's party. Support ratings for the current government has dropped to below 30 per cent in July, following repeated parliamentary questions about allegations that Abe helped his friend obtain approval to open a veterinary college.
