Japan PM Abe dissolves lower house, calls snap election
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dissolved the lower house of parliament Thursday, paving the way for a snap election on Oct. 22.
Abe is widely seen as trying to reconsolidate his grip on power within the ruling Liberal-Democratic Party, so he can extend the term of his premiership next year. The dissolution of the more powerful of Japan's two-chamber parliament comes more than a year before required by law.
The ruling party, though, faces a growing challenge from a new party launched by Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike this week. The Party of Hope has energized some voters, and is gaining renegade lawmakers from the main opposition party.
