Japan Parliament dissolved, snap Oct. 22 election expected

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday called a snap election, as fresh opinion polls showed a fledgling conservative party led by popular Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike was gaining momentum ahead of the expected October 22 vote.

Mr. Abe, a conservative who returned to power in 2012, is hoping a boost in his voter support in recent months will help his Liberal Democratic Party-led (LDP) coalition maintain a simple majority.

It currently holds a two-thirds “super” majority. Koike's new Party of Hope — only formally launched on Wednesday — has upended the election outlook after the former LDP member announced she would lead the group herself.

A number of opposition lawmakers boycotted a session at which the lower house was dissolved to protest Mr. Abe's calling the election and creating a potential political vacuum at a time when tensions are high with North Korea.

UCJ, UNILORIN.