Prime minister Shinzo Abe has dissolved the lower house of Japan’s parliament, 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.

Japan’s trade and justice ministers have resigned after accusations that they misused campaign funds in the biggest setback so far for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s conservative administration.

JAPAN’S next prime minister began forming a government yesterday, as investors worried the untested Democratic Party would overspend in a bid to revive the economy or would ruffle ties with Tokyo’s closest ally, Washington.