By Asia Free Press report
TOKYO (AFP) – Japan’s new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday dissolved the parliament for a general election that will be later this month, local media reported.
The new premier seeks a public mandate for his government launched just last week, according to Kyodo News Agency.
The election is scheduled to be held on Oct. 31 as the term of lower house members expires on Oct. 21.
The Liberal Democratic Party headed by Kishida is hoping to capitalize on a recent lull in COVID-19 cases, while opposition leaders are still scrambling to create a united front, the agency reported.
It is the first time in Japan’s postwar history that a general election will be held after the term has expired, and the period between the dissolution of the lower house and voting day will be the shortest.
