Japan PM dissolves lower house for Oct. 31 national election

By MARI YAMAGUCHI
Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has dissolved the lower house of parliament for Japan’s first elections of the pandemic. At stake Oct. 31 will be how Japan faces a potential coronavirus resurgence and revives its battered economy, and if or how Kishida’s government can leave the shadow of nearly nine years of Abe-Suga rule. Campaigning begins Tuesday. Kishida said he is seeking a mandate after being elected by parliament only 10 days ago. The ruling coalition won about two-thirds of the chamber in the last election, but his party’s support has been battered by a perceived high-handed approach to the pandemic. Japanese opposition parties see the election as a way to change politics.