Japan’s PM announces snap election for October

Government support ratings see rebound over summer despite cronyism accusations

TOKYO— Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Monday he will call a snap election for parliament’s more powerful lower house for next month.

Abe said at a news conference that he will dissolve the 475-seat chamber 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 started to rebound after attacks on him over cronyism scandals faded during the recess.

Also, opposition parties are regrouping and unprepared for an election. Opposition lawmakers have said there is no need to hold an election now.

“I expect opposition criticism is going to focus on (the scandals) and it’s going to be a very difficult election,” Abe said.

Analysts believe his ruling Liberal Democratic Party will retain a majority, but could lose the two-thirds majority it holds with its coalition partner, the Komei party. Still, a big enough victory could help Abe extend his hold on power. His threeyear term as party leader ends next September, and he will have to fend off any challengers from within the LDP to remain prime minister.

“For Mr. Abe, now is the time. He is taking advantage of unprepared opposition parties as he seeks to prolong his leadership,” said Yu Uchiyama, a University of Tokyo politics professor.

Support ratings for his government plunged to below 30 per cent in July, following repeated parliamentary questions about allegations that Abe helped his friend obtain approval for a veterinary college.