PM’S ‘HONEYMOON’ POLL
TOKYO: Japan’s new prime minister has announced a snap election at the end of the month in a race to consolidate his majority in parliament before an expected winter surge in coronavirus cases eats into his popularity.
Fumio Kishida, 64, was elected in the Diet (parliament), where the ruling Liberal Democratic Party holds a majority, and sworn in with his cabinet by Emperor Naruhito on Monday afternoon.
He has vowed to strengthen the healthcare system against Covid, create “a new kind of capitalism” in which wealth is more fairly distributed, and boost the country’s missile and naval defences.
“I want to lead and implement policies … so I have decided to hold an election as soon as possible,” he said.
In reality, the October 31 poll is designed to capitalise on the “honeymoon” effect.