TOKYO (AP) – Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dissolved the lower house of Japan’s parliament Friday, forcing a snap election in an apparent bid to shore up support for his scandal-plagued government so that he can pursue his policy goals.
His ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which has been in power for most of the post-World War II era, may lose some seats but is likely to retain a solid majority with its coalition partner in the 480-seat lower house.
The election, expected to be held Dec. 14, follows Abe’s decision this week to postpone a planned increase in the sales tax after figures released Monday showed the economy slipped into recession. He is portraying the election as a referendum on his economic revitalization policies, known as Abenomics, and the postponement of the tax hike – from the current 8 percent to 10 percent – that had been planned for next October.
“The battle is now starting,” he said, rallying party members shortly after the dissolution. “We’ll make an all-out fight in this battle so that we all can come back here to resume our responsibility to make Japan a country that shines in the center of the world.”
The snap poll has puzzled many voters as it as Abe has been prime minister for only about two years.